Water - Are we all getting enough?

I was googling “Water” a few months back, looking for the recommended daily amount.  I was aware that I’m probably not drinking enough and wanted to know the facts on what I should be drinking and the benefits etc.  But, instead of finding the information I was looking for, I got side tracked (as you do when surfing the internet).  I came across FRANK Water.  This is a small charity raising money to fund projects which help install water systems in some of the worlds poorest communities.   Communities where just to get clean water is a constant daily struggle.  I discovered some alarming facts:

Some of the nasties lurking in the only water millions of people have access to

Water, such a vital basic human need, we can’t survive without it and yet, did you know that more than 1 in 6 people worldwide don’t have access to the recommended daily amount of of clean water.

Yes, that's right, 1 in 6

Nearly 17% of the worlds population!

Surely in these modern times while the Western World wastes so much water (and money) it’s totally unacceptable to have 1 sixth of the worlds population without access to the recommended amount of clean water.

 WATER    A vital, basic human need.

3.575 Million people die each year of water related diseases!

More than 4,000 children die EVERY DAY from a lack of clean drinking water.

Here am I, worried about whether I’m drinking enough water to keep me in tip top condition, when across the other side of the world people are dieing from lack of access to clean water.  What a mixed up world we live in.

We often take for granted how lucky we are.  How lucky we are to be born in a part of the world where all the basic necessities are readily available. Next time you turn on the tap and fill the kettle, spare a thought for the millions of women and children who have to spend several hours a day walking to the closest clean water point.  Half of their day is taken up doing something that takes us seconds.  It just doesn’t seem right.

You may not have a lot to give, but every little helps

• £10 can fund the training of a community member so they can maintain and operate the clean water project.
• £50 can fund an awareness campaign about clean, safe water, engaging and involving the community
• £100 can fund the Ultra Violet filter which ensures viral contaminants are removed before reaching the taps.
• £200 can fund the sand and carbon filters used to remove the larger particles and ensure the water is safe.

I was really impressed with the projects Frank Water have funded and the difference they are making to so many peoples lives. You can find out more about Frank Water and the work they are doing here.  I would dearly love to go there and volunteer to help make a difference, but that’s just not viable for me in my current stage of life.  I have children of my own who need me, so that will have to wait.  For now, all I can do is help raise funds and generate awareness.  Over the next year I’ve set myself a target to raise 1000 euros – not a lot in the scale of things I know, but if I can raise more, with your help, I will. 

The first fund raising event I’m planning is on Saturday 24th November. I’m organising a Vide Grenier (the french equivalent to a boot fair or table top sale) at our Garden Centre in Boulogne sur Gesse.  All the proceeds from the tables and the sale of homemade cakes and refreshments are being donated to Frank Water.  If you live in the area and are able to come along, please do, or if you have any items you’d like to donate or can make cakes – any help will be gratefully received  Further details can be found here.  If you are unable to come, then you can always make a donation to my “Just Giving” Page which goes directly to Frank Water.

So please, contribute what you can to help me reach my target and be part of the solution!