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H2O for Life Transforms Lives!
H2O for Life Transforms Lives!
Published 09-25-09
Submitted by Kind World Foundation
In only their second year of business as a non-profit organization, H2O for Life, has donated $268,000 to fund water, sanitation and hygiene projects (WASH) at schools in developing nations. H2O for Life was given a $10,000 seed grant by the Kind World Foundation in 2008, as a part of their CGI commitment to improve safe drinking water and sanitation conditions in Africa. This story is a testimony to how CGI commitments can truly motivate action.
"I believe that H20 for Life is a text book example of the power of seed money to make a difference. Starting with a modest initial CGI commitment of $10,000 and one school, today H20 for Life has grown nearly 10-fold and should reach 200 schools by 2010, bringing access to life-saving water, sanitation and hygiene education. Kind World Foundation believes in the power of one individual to really make a difference. Not all CGI commitments need to be large gifts to yield large returns. Sometimes all it really takes is watering the grassroots," said Lee Lysne, Executive Director of Kind World Foundation.
Working with U.S. schools, H2O for Life offers a service-learning project in which schools in the U.S. are partnered with a school in a developing nation in need of WASH. U.S. students learn of the global water crisis and put their learning into action to raise funds to support the implementation of a WASH project at their partner school.
Working through various NGO partners who match dollar for dollar the money donated by U.S. students, H2O for Life has facilitated the partnership of 110 U.S. schools with 85 schools in 14 different developing nations around the world.
As equally important as water and sanitation is to schools in need is the importance of teaching our U.S. students that their actions can make a difference in the lives of students around the world. Every dollar raised goes to their partner school. Students learn that they can be influential global citizens and activists for change.
About Kind World Foundation
Kind World Foundation was begun by Norm Waitt Jr. one the 2 cofounders of Gateway Computers. Kind World Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of men, women and children by focusing on programs that support health, education and the environment. We believe that improving access to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene is both an inalienable human right and the most critically important health issue facing the world today.
About H2O for Life
H20 for Life connects schools in the United States with schools in developing countries to complete WASH (WAter, Sanitation, and Hygiene) in Schools projects. http://www.h2oforlifeschools.org/
About the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI)
Established in 2005 by President Bill Clinton, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) convenes global leaders to devise and implement innovative solutions to some of the world's most pressing challenges. Since 2005, CGI Annual Meetings have brought together more than 100 current and former heads of state, 14 Nobel Peace Prize laureates, hundreds of leading CEOs, heads of foundations, major philanthropists, directors of the most effective nongovernmental organizations, and prominent members of the media. These CGI members have made more than 1,400 commitments valued at $46 billion, which have already improved the lives of 200 million people in 150 countries. Commitments made at the 2008 Annual Meeting are expected to affect almost 160 million people. The CGI community also includes CGI University (CGI U), a forum to engage college students in global citizenship; and MyCommitment.org, an online portal where anybody can make their own Commitment to Action. CGI will hold its Fifth Annual Meeting September 22-25, 2009, in New York City. For more information, visit www.clintonglobalinitiative.org.
