WaterPartners

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WaterPartners International
Formation 1990
Type Developmental aid organization
Executive Director Gary White
Website http://www.water.org/

WaterPartners International was an American nonprofit developmental aid organization tasked with the specific purpose of providing safe drinking water and sanitation to people in developing countries. Founded in 1990, it has since provided safe drinking water and sanitation to more than 200 communities in eight countries – Bangladesh, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Honduras, Guatemala, India, Kenya, and the Philippines.[1] The organization's co-founder and current executive director Gary White[2] is also a founding board member of the Global Water Challenge[3] and Water Advocates.[4]

In July 2009, WaterPartners International merged with H2O Africa to form Water.org, co-founded by Matt Damon and Gary White.[5]

Approach

WaterPartners' approach to implementing water projects involves four key components:

  1. forging partnerships with local partner organizations in the countries it serves
  2. involving the community at each stage of the project
  3. selecting technology appropriate to the local community and their particular situation
  4. integrating all projects with health and hygiene education.

The organization conducts monitoring, evaluation, and original research programs. It has initiated third-party evaluations of its programs to determine how it is fulfilling its mission.[6]

WaterPartners' stated vision is to work towards providing safe drinking water to everyone in the world.[7] Currently, approximately one in six people on earth lack access to safe source of drinking water.[8][9] More than two billion people lack access to basic sanitation.[10]

WaterCredit

WaterPartners projects are funded through grants, loans, or a combination of the two. Its loan program is called WaterCredit.[11] It uses the concept of microcredit to fund water sanitation projects.[12][13] Funding water supply projects through a combination of grants and loans is a new approach to the water sector. Until recently, almost all water projects facilitated by other nongovernmental organizations have been funded entirely by grants, even when the individuals served by the project have the means to share costs.

WaterPartners has received grants from organizations such as the PepsiCo Foundation,[14] The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation,[15] and Open Square Foundation (previously called the Agora Foundation).[16]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Ex-Aquila COO Stamm takes job with nonprofit, KC Business Journal, December 6, 2007
  2. ↑ Group Fights to Deliver Water to the Poor, AP, January 30, 2005
  3. ↑ Kenya: Sustaining and Scaling School Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene, Global Water Challenge, December 13, 2006
  4. ↑ Water Advocates
  5. ↑ Damon joins K.C. organization to provide for developing communities AP, July 15, 2009
  6. ↑ Community Water Systems Sustainability Study, Lempira, Honduras, Emory University, October 1, 2006
  7. ↑ US Organization Helps People in Honduras Access Safe Water, US Department of State, September 21, 2006
  8. ↑ Water Diaries, Living on Earth, PRI, August 17, 2007
  9. ↑ WaterPartners International - Ethiopia, Aware Magazine, October 1, 2007
  10. ↑ No joke: It's World Toilet Day, USA Today November 19, 2007
  11. ↑ Future - Clean Water Solutions, Need Magazine, page 10, October 1, 2007
  12. ↑ Water Projects Sustain Hope and Life in Developing Countries, Voice of America, March 28, 2006
  13. ↑ A Thirsty World, Trans World Features India, January 24, 2007
  14. ↑ Coalition Pledges $400 Million For Clean Water, Sanitation, Wall Street Journal, September 27, 2008
  15. ↑ Firm Decisions, Wall Street Journal, December 10, 2007
  16. ↑ Grants to Aid Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Education Overseas: a Sampling, Chronicle of Philanthropy, October 18, 2007

External links

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