UNITED NATIONS - / MaximsNews Network / 2 May 2008 -- “Water for People” is an international non-profit that seeks to help people in developing countries improve their quality of life by supporting the development of locally sustainable drinking water resources, sanitation facilities, and health/hygiene education programs.  

According to “Water for People”, it takes just US$29 to provide water to one person for a lifetime.  

As a result, the non-profit actively seeks to partner with corporations who can financially help achieve a world where all people have access to safe drinking water and sanitation; a world where no one suffers or dies from water- or sanitation-related diseases.

In observance of the upcoming Drinking Water Week (May 4-10), employee-owned CH2M Hill (a US$5 billion global firm that provides engineering, procurement, construction, and operations for public and private clients) has recently announced a commitment to raise US$100,000 for “Water for People”.  

The funds will help finance clean water projects that will in turn benefit 3,450 people living in developing countries.

According to Elisa Speranza, the president of CH2M Hill OMI (the operations and maintenance arm of CH2M Hill providing full scale O&M services for municipal and industrial water and wastewater systems), “CH2M Hill’s support for Water for People aligns with the company’s ongoing efforts to develop sustainable clean water solutions and improve the quality of life for people around the world”.

In addition to allowing CH2M Hill employees to give to Water for People through payroll deductions, employees have volunteered to raise funds for the non-profit in several other creative ways. For example:

• In Toronto, CH2M Hill employees are hosting a “pie in the face” fundraiser asking employees to donate funds to see their favorite manager take a blue Jell-O gelatin pie head-on.  They are also holding a jewelry sale and providing several education presentations about the importance of Water for People’s work.

• In Denver, water bingo will be the name of the game. Every game that an employee wants to play will cost US$1 will all proceeds going directly to Water for People. Additionally, an H20 Challenge program has been set up – asking employees to drink only tap water during Drinking Water Week and give Water for People the money that they would have spent on coffee, soda, or other beverages.

• In Salt Lake City, CH2M Hill employees are hosting a barbecue fundraiser, inviting families, friends and clients to attend.  Ticket sales to the fundraiser will benefit Water for People.

• In Boston, CH2M Hill volunteers are holding a 70/30 raffle.  Employees can purchase a raffle ticket for US$1 – the winning ticket will receive 30% of the total amount raised while Water for People will receive the other 70%.  Employees are also donating prizes and items for a live auction.

Besides CH2M Hill, global and worldwide corporate supporters of Water for People include American Water, CDM, the Coca Cola Company, EarthTech, ESRI,  Ford Meter Box Company, Hogan & Hartson, HDR, Itron, Tyco, and Weston Solutions.

Water for People currently has active programs in seven countries – Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Malawi, Nicaragua and India. 

These programs support projects in over 180 communities, directly benefitting more than 108,000 people with access to safe drinking water and improved sanitation.

Labels: United Nations, U.N., MaximsNews WATER, water, sanitation, water and sanitation, Water for People, CH2M Hill, Drinking Water Week, drinking water, Kathy Shandling, international development, environment, water news, water sustainability, water resource, water management, global water crisis, sustainable development

 

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