WaterPartners International was an American nonprofit developmental aid organization tasked with the specific purpose of providing safe drinking water and sanitation to people in developing countries. Founded in 1990, it has since provided safe drinking water and sanitation to more than 200 communities in eight countries – Bangladesh, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Honduras, Guatemala, India, Kenya, and the Philippines.Ex-Aquila COO Stamm takes job with nonprofit, KC Business Journal, December 6, 2007 The organization's co-founder and current executive director Gary WhiteGroup Fights to Deliver Water to the Poor, AP, January 30, 2005 is also a founding board member of the Global Water ChallengeKenya: Sustaining and Scaling School Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene , Global Water Challenge, December 13, 2006 and Water Advocates.Water Advocates
In July 2009, WaterPartners International merged with H2O Africa to form Water.org, co-founded by Matt Damon and Gary White.Damon joins K.C. organization to provide for developing communities AP, July 15, 2009
Approach
WaterPartners' approach to implementing water projects involves four key components: forging partnerships with local partner organizations in the countries it serves involving the community at each stage of the project selecting technology appropriate to the local community and their particular situation integrating all projects with health and hygiene education.
The organization conducts monitoring, evaluation, and original research programs. It has initiated third-party evaluations of its programs to determine how it is fulfilling its mission.Community Water Systems Sustainability Study, Lempira, Honduras, Emory University, October 1, 2006
WaterPartners' stated vision is to work towards providing safe drinking water to everyone in the world.US Organization Helps People in Honduras Access Safe Water, US Department of State, September 21, 2006 Currently, approximately one in six people on earth lack access to safe source of drinking water.Water Diaries, Living on Earth, PRI, August 17, 2007WaterPartners International - Ethiopia, Aware Magazine, October 1, 2007 More than two billion people lack access to basic sanitation.No joke: It's World Toilet Day, USA Today November 19, 2007
WaterCredit WaterPartners projects were funded through grants, loans, or a combination of the two. Its loan program is called WaterCredit.Future - Clean Water Solutions, Need Magazine, page 10, October 1, 2007 It uses the concept of microcredit to fund water sanitation projects.Water Projects Sustain Hope and Life in Developing Countries, Voice of America, March 28, 2006A Thirsty World, Trans World Features India, January 24, 2007
WaterPartners received grants from organizations such as the PepsiCo Foundation,Coalition Pledges $400 Million For Clean Water, Sanitation, Wall Street Journal, September 27, 2008 The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation,Firm Decisions, Wall Street Journal, December 10, 2007 and Open Square Foundation (previously called the Agora Foundation).Grants to Aid Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Education Overseas: a Sampling, Chronicle of Philanthropy, October 18, 2007
See also International development Water Credit in India Water supply and sanitation in Bangladesh Water supply and sanitation in El Salvador Water supply and sanitation in Ethiopia Water supply and sanitation in Guatemala Water supply and sanitation in Honduras Water supply and sanitation in the Philippines
References
External links WaterPartners International World Water Day: A Billion People Worldwide Lack Safe Drinking Water, Larry White, About.com Michael & Susan Dell Foundation Awards $1 Million Grant to Innovative Nonprofit Solving Global Water Crisis, November 30, 2004.