Cape Town, South Africa – May 14, 2012. Wishing Well International Foundation South Africa (WWIF-SA), the sister foundation to WWIF-US, delivered its first batch of Hydraid filters as an independent non-profit organization. The filters were donated by WWIF-US and this deployment marked the beginning of the South African foundation’s efforts. The non-profit was formed in South Africa to allow for local fundraising from the South African public and corporations to add sustainability to the efforts from the US.

Led by Tony Marchesini and Marketing Director Ken Lister, the Foundation will become very active in fundraising in South Africa.  “South Africans are very generous people and although we appreciate the help coming from the States, we need to involve our people and our corporations to make sure we share in the responsibility to help the needy communities of South Africa and surrounding countries. What WWIF started in the States has inspired us to do the same,” said Marchesini, Managing Director of the newly formed foundation. 

Hydraid filter in the background

Lister said after the deployment: “I must say it was a humbling experience for all of us who were part of this exercise. It  reminded us we must appreciate what we have.  We are so fortunate to be able to assist in people’s lives by providing clean, safe drinking water.”

The two organizations will work closely together to carefully select projects that will benefit people who need it most.  The monies raised in South Africa will be used for operational expenses and to purchase more Hydraid biosand filters from the US. The filters will be acquired and shipped by the US Foundation.

While at the annual franchisee meeting for H2O International SA, held in May of each year, Guillermo Guzman, Founder of Wishing Well International Foundation US announced he will be involved in a deployment of Hydraid filters in Oshoek, near the northern part of Swaziland.  This will be considered the official launch of the activities of the South African sister foundation.  “I am very excited to be part of this deployment.  Although I am very involved with the day to day operations of the foundation in the US and have visited potential sites in Africa as well as other countries, I have never been on the ground, assembling and delivering units to those who need it most.  I am looking forward to working with Ken and his team,” added Guzman.