The recent deployment of Hydraid Biosand filters to the rural town of Oshoek on the border of South Africa and Swaziland, sparked interest from South African media and local organizations. It also renewed Wishing Well International Foundation’s goal to bring the industry together to lead in the efforts to provide clean, safe drinking water to developing areas. Founder Guillermo Guzman was present at the deployment, alongside members of the Foundation’s sister organization, WWIF-SA, Hands at Work, Bambanani and H2O Mpumalanga.

Hands at Work is a multinational non-profit organization working in vulnerable communities across sub-Saharan Africa where HIV/AIDS, poverty and numbers of orphans are highest and support structure is low. Bambanani Community Service is the local NGO working with Hands at Work to help identify the neediest and most vulnerable families. H2O Mpumalanga is a for-profit organization based in Nelspruit, assisting WWIF with warehousing and deployment of the Hydraid Biosand filters.

Following is quote from Guillermo from a press release after the deployment: “While it was good to hear the stories, to learn the great benefit and value we are bringing to these vulnerable communities, it was very hard to see, and almost incomprehensible to believe, people live in these conditions today. It really does something to you when you are on the ground with them. There is no source of clean water nearby and women and children travel miles to fetch contaminated water. The conditions are just deplorable. We, the industry of clean water, can no longer afford to stand on the sidelines. We should lead in providing safe, clean drinking water to those who desperately need it. It is time we exercise our corporate social responsibility and help others while making profits. We ask everyone in the industry to join us and our many corporate sponsors in this very important and humanitarian effort that will benefit many.”

One Hydraid filter will provide safe water for a family of four for 8 to 10 years and the cost is $100 (USD). The Foundation is starting a new drive to get as many filters as possible delivered to Bagliga, Ghana and Batey San Jose Ulloa in the Dominican Republic, the foundation’s next two projects. Help us help the nearly one billion people who lack access the clean, safe drinking water. Donate a filter today. Together we can make a difference.

To donate a filter via our website, go toDonate a Filter or to donate a filter using your PayPal account, go toPayPal

To learn about corporate sponsorships, go to Become a Sponsor.  To sponsor by check, go to Sponsor by Check or go to Credit Card to use our secure website for a credit card transaction.

Thank you for your support.  Together we can make a difference!

Sincerely,

Kurt C. Peterson
Wishing Well International Foundation
VP of Marketing, Strategic Donor Relations and Media