ANNOUNCING OUR FIRST FUNDRAISING PROJECT

TO BRING SAFE WATER TO VILLAGES IN

NIGER, WEST AFRICA

OUR CALL TO ACTION:

On February 20th, 2008, Gil Garcetti, former District Attorney of L.A. County and nationally acclaimed photographer, spoke to the women of Salon Forum about his recent work and book, "Water Is Key."  He told us the tragic story of women and girls in West Africa who walk miles every day, carrying gallons of water on their heads to supply water for the households, water that is often contaminated, causing disease, deformities and even death. It motivated me, supported by the reactions of those in attendance, to initiate this fund-raising project.

The following pictures and quotes come from Gil Garcetti's book, "Water Is Key."

"We have no reliable source of water.  Since I was a child, I have spent most of my time just searching for and fetching water--water that often makes us very sick.  To have a borehole well in or near the village will make my dreams come true.  It is a dream everyone in the village shares."
--Unidentified woman

They look so graceful, above, but this is back-breaking work.

And because their job is to fetch water, girls don’t go to school and women can’t work to help support their families. They have no hope of bettering their lives.

The water they carry is not safe, clean drinking water. It can contain bacteria and parasites that cause blindness and other horrific diseases and deformities.

"Before our borehole, you would not see many people in the village until after 10 A.M. when they returned from fetching the water—a nearly two hour walk…It was usually too late to go to school. We spent so much time just getting the water—water that was dirty and contaminated. Our village was full of young and old people who were infected with Guinea worm. It’s very painful and they would not be able to do anything for many weeks and sometimes longer."
--Sayibu Ousaman

When a borehole well is drilled in a village, life is transformed. Girls go to school. Women work productively for their families. Everyone is healthier, and they have hope for their future.

"With clean, plentiful water comes so much good.  Many diseases like diarrhea and Guinea worm have virtually disappeared.  Instead of village homes made out of straw, house are now made of clay blocks.  After health, the best thing is that so many more children regularly attend school."
--Haranu Adamu

OUR PARTNERS:

To accomplish this project, Salon Forum has partnered with World Vision, the Pacific Institute, the Conrad Hilton Foundation and Gil Garcetti. 

Our funds are being deposited with The Pacific Institute, a non-profit organization, making your donation tax deductible. (Tax ID #94-3050434)

To do the actual work on the ground, we have partnered with World Vision, which has  a proven track record in West Africa for drilling wells and training villagers to maintain them.  They then continuing to work with villagers by identifying their additional needs after a well is drilled, like microfinancing, agricultural development, etc. and provide funds to fulfill them.

The Conrad Hilton Foundation will match our donations, dollar for dollar, on all the wells we fund for drilling in West Africa.  This will enable us to accomplish more than we had initially anticipated, bringing safe water to many more people and help put an end to preventable diseases and despair.

OUR GOAL: $30,500 to drill five borehole wells in different villages in Niger, the poorest country in the world.  As of June 1, we have raised enough to drill two wells! 

OUR TIMING:

We are targeting January to drill our first wells, however much we have at the time, hopefully for all five wells.

PLEASE BE A PART OF "WATER IS KEY." 

I know that many of you give generously to other worthy causes, but I hope that you will open up your hearts and participate with other women in the Salon Forum community.

In appreciation,
Barbara Goldberg

TO DONATE:

ONLINE: GO TO:       www.wateriskey.org

                1.  Click on "Donate" in upper right hand corner.

                2.  Under "Gift Information," PLEASE BE SURE TO                      CHECK "On behalf of" and then enter "Salon                          Forum" so that we get credit for your donation.                       And...

                3.  Enter my e-mail address in the "Please send                          acknowledgment of this gift to":                                              researchbg@cs.com so that can express my                          appreciation for your donation.

               You can print an online receipt and one will also                     be mailed to you. 

                PACIFIC INSTITUTE/WATER IS KEY

                ON "MEMO" LINE, ENTER: "SALON FORUM" so                     that we will get credit for your donation.

                PLEASE MAIL TO:

                Pacific Institute
                654 13th St.
                Oakland, CA 94612

TO HELP YOU GET FRIENDS TO DONATE:

We have POSTCARDS that will help you tell "the story" and instruct people how to donate.

A 3 minute video clip from Gil Garcetti to motivate others to donate. (In development)

On the Pacific Institute website, you can send an e-mail to your friends when you make an online donation.  You can write a note and the e-mail will contain a link to www.wateriskey.org

DONATE YOUR WORK OR SERVICES TO HELP RAISE MONEY:

I know that many of you have a product or service that would be a great donation that others can buy--e.g., 1/2-1 hour of free consultation (a good way to get new clients), notecards, a book you've written, artwork, jewelry, work-outs, and more.  There will be a place on the website to list these services, with money going to "Water Is Key."  Please let me know what you've got to donate at:  researchbg@cs.com

SPEAKING OPPORTUNITIES FOR GIL:

Gil Garcetti is an outstanding speaker and passionate about this cause.  If you are involved with a group (that would have about 50 or more in attendance), he would be delighted to speak with them.  Please contact me at: researchbg@cs.com

To read more about Gil Garcetti and his work, please click on:

http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1018/p20s01-ussc.html?page=1

WANT TO HELP WORK ON THIS PROJECT?

Quite a few who heard Gil's presentation have come forward to help but there is always room for more and previous charitable work experience is not necessary.  There will be lots of different things to do.

OTHER IDEAS??

I'm new at fundraising so if you have any ideas that you'd like to share or would like more information, please contact me at:researchbg@cs.com or (310) 476-7318