This week, as all eyes are on Rio and athletes from around the world, LifeStraw, a leader in safe water technology, is inviting global teams and citizens to get involved, not only as spectators, but also, as active agents of change through The Brazil Project. Steps away from the new competition arenas, millions of people are living in poverty, and more than 34 million Brazilians and 75 percent of rural schools don’t have access to safe water. To address this problem, LifeStraw established The Brazil Project run through the LifeStraw Safe Water Fund to collect funds to provide high-volume LifeStraw Community water purifiers and safe water education to schools in villages in the northeast region of Brazil, specifically, to the state of Piaui - Caridade do Piaui and Curral Novo do Piaui. People can donate individually or create their own winning teams, register them at The Brazil Project, www.crowdrise.com/TheBrazilProject, then start and promote a fundraiser that runs through the end of August.

In September, after the athletes and spectators have left Brazil, LifeStraw will deploy teams of skilled implementers on the ground and visit schools throughout rural Brazil to deliver and install the LifeStraw Community water purifiers and provide safe water and hygiene education to the school children.

“The Brazil Project addresses a serious problem affecting millions of lives in villages surrounding the competitions in Brazil this month,” said Alison Hill, managing director, LifeStraw. “While the issue of safe water has been highlighted as a result of the games, these daily challenges are a way of life for these communities. Together, we will create our own victories, measured in lives impacted, as we give children a more even playing field, and the potential to become tomorrow’s athletes and leaders.”

The Brazil Project is run by the LifeStraw Safe Water Fund, a project of the New Venture Fund, a 501(c)(3) public charity. The Fund capitalizes on the enormous power of individuals and organizations to drive change.  Individuals and groups support safe water programs presented by the Fund by making tax-deductible contributions through the online platform. All programs are implemented by the LifeStraw team or its partners, and utilize LifeStraw Community water purifiers that are independently tested by the World Health Organization, achieving the highest standards of performance. The microbiological water purifiers remove virtually all bacteria, viruses and protozoan parasites from water. They’re durable, long-lasting and require no additional batteries or parts, making them ideal for difficult rural settings.

“LifeStraw has vast experience with small and large-scale water technology distribution, emergency and implementation projects around the world,” continued Hill.  “All projects use sophisticated electronic monitoring platforms to track locations, usage and follow-up over time so contributors are able to witness the impact of their actions. To date, safe water programs implemented at schools in Kenya and India have brought sustainable access to safe water to more than 390,000 school age children.” 

About LifeStraw:

LifeStraw focuses on innovation of technology that converts microbiologically contaminated water into safe drinking water with products that are designed to fit the needs of the people that use them. It’s manufactured by Vestergaard, a family owned global health company dedicated to improving the health and quality of life for people, many of whom live in developing countries.  The first LifeStraw water filter was introduced in 2005 for public health use in developing countries. Since then, the LifeStraw brand has expanded to include water filters and purifiers for use in households, clinics, schools and for outdoor sports and recreation. LifeStraw is sold in North America through distributor EarthEasy and can be purchased in retail stores or online at www.lifestraw.com.

About the New Venture Fund:

The New Venture Fund, a 501(c)(3) established in 2006, conducts public interest projects and provides professional insight and support to institutions and individuals seeking to foster change through strategic philanthropy.

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Vestergaard SA

Vestergaard SA

Vestergaard is a family owned global health company dedicated to improving the health of vulnerable people, most of whom live in developing countries. Our game-changing solutions contribute to a healthier, more sustainable planet by fighting malaria, HIV/AIDS, diarrheal diseases and neglected tropical diseases. Additional company initiatives are focused on enhancing food security. Vestergaard is the largest producer of long-lasting insecticidal bed nets. Our PermaNet® bed nets have played a significant role in last decade’s highly successful fight against malaria. More than one billion people have benefited from PermaNet® bed nets, which have contributed to the reduction in deaths from malaria by more than one third. Breakthrough solutions also include the award-winning LifeStraw® water filter, which was named "One of Ten Things that Will Change the Way we Live" by Forbes magazine. Vestergaard is headquartered in Switzerland and has offices around the world where highly skilled staff members work with stakeholders to ensure global reach with local support. We’re proud to be a valued and trusted partner to governments, aid agencies, NGOs, faith-based groups and the private sector.

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