Fight the spread of COVID-19 with improved water, sanitation, and hygiene solutions for health clinics and schools, serving more than 52,000 people

As always, Focusing Philanthropy covers all overhead costs. 100% of every donation will go to the Everyone Forever: Progress Towards a More Resilient Future initiative.

THE NEED

Now, more than ever, access to safe and reliable water, hygiene, and sanitation (WASH) services is essential to protecting human health. As COVID-19 continues to impact communities and countries around the world, hand washing is a key preventative measure to control the spread of virus. Yet many people lack access to water and basic hygiene services:

  • Over 65,000 hospitals and clinics in the developing world lack effective WASH infrastructure; 50,000 don’t have soap
  • At the onset of the outbreak, 50% of schools in 60 countries identified as having the highest risk of health and humanitarian crisis lacked basic water and sanitation services; 75% lacked basic hand washing services

This leaves health care workers and their patients as well as children and teachers vulnerable to infection, and, when this happens, front-line health care and education systems cannot be effective.

THE APPROACH

Over the past 10 years, Water For People has helped over 3.6 million people in nine countries gain access to safe and reliable WASH services. Its Everyone Forever model is a district-centered approach that combats the global water crisis by facilitating the construction and/or rehabilitation of the most contextually appropriate water systems needed to reach every household, school, and health clinic. By partnering with local stakeholders, Water For People ensures communities have the tools and training they need to maintain each system for generations.

Our 2021 Everyone Forever campaign will fund 50 clinics and other community centers that still lack proper WASH services. Investing in these systems will provide lasting benefits to 52,631 people directly—and many more throughout the broader community—while also immediately reducing the likelihood and pace of the spread of contagion. Every $20,000 brings clean water, sanitation, and hygiene training to one health clinic, school, or community facility.

THE GOAL

From February 1 to December 31, 2021, every $1 raised by Focusing Philanthropy will be matched with $2 raised by Water For People, until the campaign goal of $1,000,000 is reached.

To qualify for the match, donations must be directed to Focusing Philanthropy and a minimum of $1,000. Donations are fully tax deductible and 100% of funds contributed will go to the 2021 Everyone Forever: Progress Towards a More Resilient Future campaign. All Focusing Philanthropy costs are covered by its founders.