We teamed up with Jonathan Jarvis (the brain behind The Crisis of Credit), actress and friend Kristen Bell and musician Douglas Kaufman to show how water changes everything.
One in eight people on the planet lives without clean water. Let’s teach the other seven this is happening. Share this video with everyone you know.
Facebook it. Tweet it. Blog about it. Show it to your mom, dad, grandma, cousin, ex-boss, mailman… everyone!
When I stared working at charity: water three years ago, the adjective I would’ve used to describe gaming would not have been “philanthropic.”
The U-Pick Video Game Marathon is a perfect example of how wrong I was.
These guys and girls have now run THREE campaigns for charity: water and raised more than $8,000 for clean water projects. Not only that, but they’ve done it by having fun.
The U-Pick team gives people the option to choose games for them to play by making a donation to clean water. Then they play the most popular video games for 48 hours … straight! And they broadcast the entire thing (which you can watch live from June 12th at 8PM EST through June 14th at 8PM here: http://www.upickvg.com/watch-now).
The dedication this crew has to bringing clean water to people in developing countries leaves me speechless (which isn’t easy). I cannot wait to watch them beat their $5,000 goal this month!
Two years ago, humanitarian photographer Esther Havens met a young boy named Jean Bosco as a charity: water well was being drilled in his village. Since then, she’s photographed hundreds of people around the world for charity: water. She recently revisited that first village and met up with Jean Bosco again. Here is her story.
All I could hear was my heart thumping.
I walked a familiar dusty road with a camera in my right hand, a stack of photos in my left. I was on a mission to find Jean Bosco.
My world first collided with his two years ago when I traveled to Rwanda with an organization called Wishing Well Africa. We spent three days in his village, Murinja. Each morning, we followed people as they collected drinking water from small, murky ponds and watched them fill their Jerry Cans from the same place where animals sloshed and women washed their laundry. People here spent hours walking for water that made their kids sick. Their kids constantly complained of stomach aches.
I remember the first time I saw Jean Bosco; I took a photo of him immediately. He was a bashful boy but his face resembled maturity beyond his years. He showed me his home. He walked me along the path he used every day to collect pond water.
Like Jean Bosco, I never knew you could drill a hole into the ground and drinkable water would come spewing out.
I wondered if he’d ever know how many people would recognize his face. Without a clue, this one boy had helped bring clean water to villages all over the world by inspiring others to help.
But I saw this first-hand. The day we arrived in Murinja luckily corresponded with the day a charity: water well was drilled. Jean Bosco and I stood side by side and watched as the drilling rig bore into the earth, finding water 70 feet below. We rejoiced together when clean water gushed out of a new well that was a short walk from his home. We knew then that life for him and his neighbors would never be the same.
I left Murinja unsure if I’d ever see him again. But I couldn’t forget Jean Bosco. I shared his story with charity: water, and they shared his story with the world. Before I knew it, he was famous. His face debuted at the charity: water Saks Fifth Avenue gala and showed up at other fundraising events and exhibitions in NYC. I got calls and emails from people so moved by his story that they sponsored wells, started their own fundraising campaigns or in one instance, named a pet after him (the African Grey Parrot at Sea World is lovingly named “Jean Bosco”).
Jean Bosco’s story offered a sobering look at life for millions of kids in the developing world. But to many, he became a symbol of hope and inspiration. Villages like his don’t have to keep drinking brown pond water. All they need is a little help.
In April 2010, charity: water asked me to return to Rwanda. Anticipation mounted as I took off for Murinja Village with water program director Becky Straw and multimedia producer Mo Scarpelli on a crisp Saturday morning. We passed the murky pond where the community once collected water and children fell in step behind us near the freshwater well. I pulled out a couple of photos from years before and asked if anyone recognized Jean Bosco. They giggled at the sight of their friend -– yes! He was nearby! They could show me.
I heard the familiar seesaw-like sound from the well; kids were pumping away, filling their Jerry cans, and I even recognized a few. I asked if they remembered their well’s drilling or if remembered me. “Last time, my hair was white, like Santa Claus,” I explained. A few laughed and said something in Kinyarwandan. “They say you are the same,” our translator told us. “But your hair was like an old man before, so you are younger now.”
“Jean Bosco!” A chorus of excitement rang out as a slight, graceful boy stepped up a small hill where I stood.
I was taken aback -– Jean Bosco looked the same! He was a little taller but his face was indistinguishable. Becky and Mo recognized him from the six-foot tall photo that hung in the charity: water office, a world away.
I handed him printed photos of himself. The corners of his mouth lifted slightly. He hesitated. Then a smile broke out on his face. He reached over — and hugged me. I was flattered and surprised. He remembered me! And he knew why the charity: water well was important to his community.
“We used to get sick,” he told us as his younger brother held tight to his side. “We don’t get sick now.”
“Our stomach pains are gone,” other children chimed in. I scanned the small crowd forming around us and recognized a young woman.
“Clarisse!” She smiled back up at me, bent slightly forward with a new baby on her back. She told us she watched the drilling two years ago while pregnant with her first child. “I knew the water would be safe for my baby,” she told us. “I was relieved.”
We asked her if the new well affected her in other ways.
“Before, I could not get clean,” she told us. “Now, I am shining. I am clean!”
Just two years of clean water transformed this village -– and I got to see it with my own eyes. As I stood with Jean Bosco again near his well before saying goodbye, I wondered if he’d ever know how many people would recognize his face. Without a clue, this one boy had helped bring clean water to villages all over the world by inspiring others to help.
This is why I tell stories, this is why I get close to the people I photograph and this is why I share their heart. Jean Bosco doesn’t yet fully understand the impact of his story. But I’ll keep telling it forever.
– Esther Havens with Mo Scarpelli
Some days we’re better at being adults than others. Today is not one of those days. Halloween justhappens to be something we’ve always taken pretty seriously at charity: water.
Highlights from our office this year include: a very lovable Garth and Kat, a very terrifying set of twins from the Shining, a human taco, some mac n cheese, Amelia Earhart, a ship captain, an ape, a viking, a Frank head and some very scrappy ninja turtles. Enjoy.
Also– did you see our Snapchat (@charitywater) this morning?!
Ryan first learned about charity: water after following Instagrammers that were sharing our organization’s mission along with their charity: water campaigns (I love how community grows both organically and digitally — here’s to you, Internet!). He was inspired by our message and our model and boldly decided to take his first step in combating the water crisis by using his 21st birthday to fundraise for clean water.
His campaign concept? A personified Jerry Can.
Ryan is currently advertising his 21st birthday campaign on Instagram (@ryanjaydee) and wants to bring this symbol of the Jerry Can to life. In his words, “If you don’t already know, the Jerry Can is the symbol of charity: water because it represents the people in developing countries that have to carry containers to store their drinking water. When filled up it weighs about 40 pounds. It’s a part of these millions of people’s lives because they have to carry it for long distances to get water for their families. charity: water describes it as a “hope to change” and I completely agree with that. That’s why I want to personify this Jerry can and make people aware of the this problem!“
Ryan, happy 21st birthday! We celebrate you, and we thank you for the impact you’re making in this world.
See The President’s entire speech and transcript here >
The Washington Post’s On Faith blog picked up on the charity: water mention, too. Read the brief message from Scott called “Faith and the Waters of Change” in WaPo here >
Even the charity: water staff who’ve never met Sarah Peck know her name. She’s famous in our office. Not for the number of campaigns that she’s run or even the amount of money she’s raised… but forone very crazy promise she made years ago.
It was 2012. 28-year-old Sarah had just heard charity: water’s founder, Scott, speak at Chris Guillebeau’s World Domination Summit, and she was fired up. She wanted to do something to help bring clean water to people in need, and there wasn’t time to wait.
Within 48 hours, Sarah had created her fundraising campaign. She set a $29,000 goal (for her 29th birthday) and announced her terms:
Yep. You read that correctly. Sarah Peck volunteered to swim 1.5 miles in freezing cold water, wearing only a swim cap, to raise money for clean water.
The first $7,000 came quickly. But soon things started to slow down. Even though $29 donations were coming in from all over the place, it still felt like the needle wasn’t moving. That’s when Sarah’s competitive side really came out.
With the help of 460 donations, Sarah didn’t just reach her $29,000 goal, she surpassed it. Her final tally: $32,398. Which meant that it was time to push aside fears of sharks, tides and giant ships and fulfill her promise.
She studied tide charts, hired a boat captain, notified the Coast Guard. And on a cold day at the end of September 2012, she became a charity: water legend.
It’s fair to call it crazy. Everyone at charity: water calls it crazy. Sarah herself called it crazy.
But crazy is what makes it memorable. Crazy is what inspired hundreds of donors. And, in this case,crazy is what brought clean water to more than 650 people in Ethiopia.
In addition to the people who took part in her campaign, and the taxi drivers and baristas she befriended, Sarah has inspired every one of us. Our slogan, “the craziest thing we can do is nothing,” was written with her in mind. And her campaign is one we will share forever.
Thank you, Sarah, for giving your voice, your time and your humility to our cause. Here’s to the crazy ones, indeed.
-Sarah Peck, one of the crazy ones
This September, charity: water turns 10 and we’re celebrating by launching our biggest physical installation in charity: water history. We’ll be taking over The Winter Garden at Brookfield Place in NYC for three weeks this August to raise awareness for the 663 million people living without clean water around the world.
And we want you to be there with us.
We’ll be sharing our new Virtual Reality film, The Source, and inviting the public to put on a VR headset and meet Selam, a 13-year-old girl in Ethiopia. Guests will step into Selam’s world for 9 minutes and experience the moment her village gets clean water for the first time and their lives change forever.
Thanks to a generous anonymous donor and our friends at Morgan Stanley, every viewing of the film will unlock a $30 donation and give one person clean water. Our goal is to bring at least 10,000 people clean water by the end of the three weeks.
If you can’t join us in person, you can still experience The Source! Watch it online here.
Special thanks to Brookfield Place, 11th Street Workshop, Event Farm, ICON, Samsung, Taylor Creative, Le District, Morgan Stanley, and Virginia Clay. We wouldn’t be able to make this experience possible without our generous partners.
The charity: water exhibit will be open to the public every day from August 9th to August 28th from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Date: Tuesday, August 9th - Sunday, August 28th
Time: 11:00am - 8:00pm
Location: The Winter Garden at Brookfield Place, 230 Vesey Street, NYC
Picture this: a world where everyone on Earth has access to clean and safe drinking water; now that’s something to smile about.
At charity: water, we’ve always believed in photography as a powerful vehicle for storytelling. Since day one, we’ve used beautiful images of the places we work and people we serve to tell stories about transformation, hope, and the impact of clean water. So when Aura frames approached us about creating a limited-edition frame that would give clean water to people in need, we were thrilled.
Aura launched the the limited-edition Crystal Blue frame in early 2017. By donating $60 for each frame sold, they generously provided clean and safe drinking water for 600 people in Tigray, Ethiopia. Now they’re ready to help even more.
This year, we’re honored to celebrate Aura re-releasing this beautiful charity: water limited-edition digital picture frame. This time at a lower price, but the same $60 donation to bring clean water to two people for each one sold. They created 750 Crystal Blue frames with the potential to give clean water to 1,500 people.
The sleek and sophisticated Crystal Blue frame was specially designed to make a difference. The color was inspired by the transparency of our 100% model and our shared belief in the impact of clean water. Each limited-edition frame is engraved with the charity: water logo and edition number. Aura will even make sure you never forget the impact of your purchase; every few months, Aura will push a charity: water photo with a corresponding story to your frame to inspire you and help keep you connected to the cause. Download the free app to sort your photos into albums and add an unlimited amount to your wifi-powered frame. Unlike other frames, this one is run 100% from your phone and will automatically add new photos from your camera roll to your frame for a surprise and delight. It’s never been easier to display all of your favorite memories at once.
Aura is reimagining the digital picture frame with innovative technology that will give you something to smile about, and we hope framing your contribution will inspire you to keep fighting for a world where everyone has access to clean water. You can purchase your Crystal Blue frame at auraframes.com/charitywater.
We’ve got an incredible lineup of interns this quarter, and we can’t wait to introduce you! Here are our leading ladies…
Office Experience Intern
Working under Joy Caroline: Office Coordinator
School: The King’s College
Major: Religious and Theological Studies
Graduating May 2019
What are you most proud of working on while at charity: water?
Scott Harrison, the CEO of charity: water wrote a book that came out in October (https://www.charitywater.org/thirst). I was given the opportunity to assist the staff planning the book launch event. As well as aiding in prepping the food, decor, and flow of the night I was put in charge of creating the floral arrangements. For the first time in my years of internships I got to use a hobby of mine in the workplace! Overall the launch was a success and everyone LOVED the floral arrangements.
Water Programs Intern
Working under Hannah Matthews: Water Programs
School: University of California, Los Angeles
Major: Global Studies
Graduated June 2018
What are you most proud of working on while at charity: water?
As a member of the water programs team, I am so proud that I get to be a part of the work that executes charity: water’s mission in the field. It’s incredibly fulfilling to be able to work with our grants and partners to further the vision of a world where everyone has clean water!
Accounting Intern
Working under Yohanny Vargas: Accounting
School: The King’s College
Major: Business- Concentration in Finance
Graduating May 2019
What is your favorite aspect of your charity: water internship?
I have absolutely loved my internship at charity: water because of the people, culture, and how willing they are to teach you. Everyone here really wants to see you learn and grow. Pizza on Friday and bagels on Monday are also a plus!
Productions and Events Intern
Working under Christina Lutters: Productions Team
School: The King’s College
Major: Business Management, minor in economics
Graduating May 2020
What is your favorite aspect of your charity: water internship?
After completing the Accounting Internship in the fall, I was eager to continue my time at charity: water working for a new team to see how the organization is run from a different department. As the Production and Events Intern, I help assist the production team with various projects concerning donor reporting, the Thirst book launch, and the charity: ball gala. After six months interning here, I greatly value charity: water’s unique office environment and great attention to detail - two key aspects of the organization that I know I will miss when my internship ends.
Water Project Sponsor Donor Reporting and Revenue Operations Intern
Working under Shirley: Key Relationships
School: New York University
Major: Film and Business
Graduating May 2020
What is the best thing you’ve done while interning for charity: water?
As a WPS intern, I work with major donors before and after their donations come in. My job includes sending project updates to past donors, organizing large incoming donations into our system, and working on pitching projects to potential donors. At the intersection of working with our past, present and future supporters, updating both donation and beneficiary numbers, I get to see large-scale fundraising at work and watch that translate materially into the water projects and lives we impact all around the world.
Key Relationships - The Well Intern
Working under Rachel Sapire: Key Relationships
School: University of Michigan
Major: Public Policy
Graduated April 2018
What is the best thing you’ve done while interning for charity: water?
Hunting for the perfect birthday gifts for our awesome Well members :)
Key Relationships Intern
Working under Brady Essmann: Key Relationships
School: Baruch College
Major: Public Administration
Graduating December 2018
What has surprised you the most about charity: water?
Great office culture, the willingness of everyone to help. Coffee dates with staff and intern brown bags with senior staff.
Brand Partnership Intern
Working under Galila Gray: Brand Partnerships
School: New York University
Major: Social and Political Philosophy
Graduating May 2020
What has surprised you the most about charity: water?
I am constantly surprised by how charity: water functions in a way that is so different from other nonprofits. It’s true when they say they operate more like a startup!
1.5 million.
That’s the number of people who have gained access to clean and safe water thanks to our brand partners. We are incredibly grateful for this community of like-minded brands and their ability to raise awareness for the water crisis in powerful and creative ways.
To celebrate their work and inspire new collaborations, we hosted our third annual Brand Partnership X Summit at Canoe Studios in NYC! This year, we were joined by over 65 brands for a day of insightful conversations. We focused on innovation and what it means for our work at charity: water, in partnerships, and in the world around us. From groundbreaking sensor technology and the launch of The Pool to jewelry crafted from meteorites and sprinkle-filled rainbow cakes, we left feeling inspired to keep creating and pushing the boundaries.
Check out the highlights from this year’s event:
We are so grateful to everyone who joined us. The Summit would not have been possible without our speakers who generously gave their time to help us see how purposeful innovation can drive change. A very special thank you to:
Professor, author, and entrepreneur Scott Galloway, for showing us the importance of having a meaningful career and helping us understand our life strategies, not just business strategies.
Kristin De Simone and Sylvia Hartley, Partners at Thrive Market, for sharing the story of how Thrive Market decided to partner with charity: water and for reimagining what giving means for their brand and customers.
Simon Sinek, optimist and bestselling author, for teaching us what it means to feel fulfilled and reminding us that we need to build the future together.
Artist and designer Monique Péan, for sharing her story and inspiring us with her incredible craft and unwavering commitment to sustainability and support of local communities.
Paull Young, Partner at Facebook, for showing us what being a true partner really means and encouraging the importance of working in tandem to create change.
Amirah Kassem, baker and entrepreneur, for urging us to be our true selves and demonstrating how working hard and inspiring joy can go hand-in-hand!
Another special thank you to Canoe Studios for the beautiful space and delicious catering; Taylor Creative for the comfortable and stylish furnishings; Badger Mountain Vineyard and Sunday Beer Co for providing the wine and beer for cocktail hour; Thrive Market and Scott Galloway for helping us fill our swag bags; C2 Imaging for printing and installing the stunning branding elements; Dear Bayard for the beautiful greenery; The Spaniard for hosting our pre-event cocktail party; and all of the volunteers who worked tirelessly and joyfully to ensure the day went off without a hitch.
To learn more about our brand partnerships or to get your brand involved, please contact: brandpartnerships@charitywater.org
