Water Day Campaign Surpasses Goal!

Hundreds of thousands to benefit

With many people contributing on the TPRF website or its Food for People Cause on Facebook, the Foundation’s initial World Water Day campaign goal of $25,000 was exceeded by almost $3,000, resulting in a grant of $28,000 to ensure clean water to hundreds of thousands of people in India.

TPRF’s World Water Day campaign offered matching funds to The Adventure Project’s (TAP) innovative program that will train mechanics to repair and maintain water wells in West Bengal and the District of Sheohar in the state of Bihar. This two-week campaign will train and equip 50 water-well mechanics, a significant contribution to TAPs goal of 186.

 Why does this matter? It is reported that about one third of the water wells drilled in the last 20 years in India have broken down. What is innovative about the TAP approach? Two problems—the need for employment and the need for clean water—are combined into one solution. Train a mechanic, male or female, in well repair and maintenance, set them up with initial supplies and startup money and you have a person with a good job and also 5,000 people with a reliable source of clean water. Each mechanic can service 50 wells, keeping them in good working condition and making needed repairs.

Last year, TPRF contributed to a similar project; it’s now a proven success. In honor of World Water Day 2011, TPRF granted $23,000 to TAP to open two well mechanic shops in Bihar, each with a permanent staff of six. TAP reports that, in less than a year, those shops have become self-sufficient, needing no further outside investment.

TAP's approach to alleviating chronic shortages of clean water around the world is to invest in positive social enterprises. Its goal over 10 years, say founders Becky Straw and Jody Landers, is to create a million jobs in developing countries.

This year, TAP is focusing its efforts on West Bengal and the District of Sheohar in Bihar. The program will be administered on site through a partnership with Water for People India. TPRF's contribution will cover training, tools, and a one-year stipend for 50 mechanics. With each contribution of $10 providing water for an estimated 91 people, the TPRF grant adds up to almost 274,000 people who will be able to count on access to clean water. Freedom from waterborne diseases will in turn give them the ability to live healthier, more productive lives.

Becky Straw was speaking to all TPRF supporters when she said, "I cannot thank TPRF enough for all of its support, inspiration, and shared belief in investing with dignity."