Prior to visiting Uganda in January, 2010, I had no idea what the ‘water crisis’ was. I can truthfully say I had never thought about the 1 billion people on this earth without access to clean water. I literally thought that if a village didn’t have indoor plumbing, they headed down to the river and grabbed some water when they needed it. I had no idea the water they got, they often times walked 4 miles for. Or that the water they are getting has the potential to kill them. Or that it’s often little girls going to fetch water. Oh yeah, and that a full jerry can of water is about 40lbs.
That being said, some facts to consider:
- Around 1 billion people on earth don’t have access to clean drinking water
- 80% of all sickness and disease today is caused by unsafe drinking water
- 3.6 million die each year from water related illnesses
- in just Sub-Saharan Africa, 40 BILLION hours per year are spent collecting water.
- possible effects of drinking unsafe water: a life-threatening diarrhea, E.coli, Hepatitis A, Cholera, and numerous other bacteria and parasites.
Water gives hope
- Health of adults and children improves
- Girls no longer need to spend 4 hours fetching water and can now get an education.
- Adults are healthier and better able to work.
- Economies improve
Water is a crucial step towards eradicating extreme poverty in developing nations. Massive amounts of labor hours are lost collecting water. Water is the first step to sanitation, health, improved economies, and ultimately, an improved world.
Three Avocados exists to both provide a global marketplace for coffee farmers in developing nations, and to give 100% of our profits back to these countries to help fight poverty. We believe a simple change in consumers purchasing habits can change the world. We believe we can change the world…..with your help.
