Founded by 8-year-old Isabella, CWFL was formed in the Fall of 2009 as a Texas-based non-profit organization (IRS tax exemption status pending).The Board of Directors consists of eight dedicated children between the ages of 8 and 14.
The organization is assisted by the guidance of four adults who serve on the Advisory Committee.
Contaminated drinking water is a major problem.
Diarrhea caused by drinking contaminated water remains a leading cause of illness and death among infants and children in the developing world. Diseases, such as cholera, typhoid, dysentery and others, are caused by drinking contaminated water. Almost 2 million children die every year due to water-related diseases. Almost all are less than five years old. Every day more than 4,000 children in developing countries die simply because they don’t have clean drinking water.
According to the Pacific Institute Research Report (2002), “the failure to provide safe drinking water and adequate sanitation services to all people is perhaps the greatest development failure of the 20th century.”
Our Mission
The mission of Children’s Water For Life Initiative is to help reduce illness and death due to contaminated drinking water among children around the world and to raise awareness about the global need for safe drinking water.
CWFL raises money to purchase PUR™ packets through donations given to Children’s Safe Drinking Water at P&G. The organization has planned four fundraisers in its first year as a means of raising money along with soliciting donations and grant funds. The members of the Board also look for opportunities to make presentations to children and adults about the goals of the organization and the life-threatening conditions around the world related to consuming unsafe drinking water.
One Solution
While large scale projects, such as hydroelectric facilities or installation of local water wells, are a vital part of the long-term solution to contaminated drinking water, there is an important role for immediate, accessible, affordable methods of securing safe water for families and individuals around the world.
Proctor & Gamble Health Sciences Institute scientists created a product called Purifier of Water (PUR™) that was developed in collaboration with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC). PUR™ is a powder that removes pathogens, dirt and viruses from water making it clean and safe to drink in 30 minutes without the need for expensive or complicated equipment. PUR™ packets treat water easily and affordably. Each packet costs about 10 cents and treats 10 liters of water – enough for one child for five days.
