HOW THE PROJECT CAME ABOUT
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 showed dramatic photographs from his 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 death.
And because their job is to fetch water, girls don't go to school and women can't work to help support their families. When a borehole well is drilled in a village, life is transformed. Girls go to school. Women can work productively for their families. Everyone is healthier, and they have hope for their future.
The women of Salon Forum responded to this cause and it motivated us to initiate a fundraising project. (To read some of their reactions, go to: www.salonforum.org and then click on "Water Is Key" and then "Salonistas Speak.") I formed a task force of fourteen very accomplished women from both the non-profit and for-profit world to determine how to raise funds and we have been working diligently ever since.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
Salon Forum's goal started out to raise $30,500 to drill five wells in Niger, West Africa, the poorest country in the world. Underground water is plentiful but the governments can't afford to drill for it so it is necessary to work with NGO's to assure that a project gets completed. Due to the enthusiastic response to this project, we are now working on well #10, having raised $55,378 as of October 1. By January 2009, we will have a minimum of seven wells drilled.
OUR PARTNERS
To complete this project, Salon Forum has partnered with Gil Garcetti, World Vision, the Pacific Institute, and the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.
Gil Garcetti
Gil has been our inspiration and motivator in undertaking this initiative. He has supported all our fundraising efforts and provided connections to our other partners who he has worked with on "Water Is Key."
Pacific Institute
Since Salon Forum is not a 501(c)(3), the funds we raise are being deposited directly with The Pacific Institute, a non-profit organization, making all donations tax deductible. (Tax ID #94-3050434) Donors are directed to www.wateriskey.org
The Pacific Institute works to create a healthier planet and sustainable communities. It conducts interdisciplinary research and partners with stakeholders to produce solutions that advance environmental protection, economic development, and social equity-in California, nationally, and internationally.
World Vision
To do the actual work on the ground in Niger, Salon Forum has partnered with World Vision, an international organization with an annual endowment of over $300 million. 86% of the money they raise goes directly to their projects. Most importantly, they have a proven track record in West Africa, having started in Ghana in 1990. Their skill is in having partners with proven expertise for drilling wells and training villagers to maintain them. After the wells are provided, latrines are installed as part of the project.
World Vision then continues to work with the villagers, including the women, to identify their additional needs, teaching women new skills so they can earn money, providing micro-financing, teaching agricultural techniques, and more, then providing funds to fulfill these projects. The commitment from World Vision is that any village we provide water for will be given this additional needed support and they will continue to work with them for 10-15 years.
The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
It is the chief architect of the West Africa Water Initiative, (WAWI) a six to seven year effort targeting increased access to safe water in Ghana, Mali and Niger. WAWI aims to reduce, if not eliminate, the incidence of blinding trachoma and guinea worm in these three countries.
By the end of 2008, WAWI expects to provide a minimum of 825 wet wells equipped with hand pumps, reaching more than half a million people; 100 alternative water systems; 9,000 household and public latrines; and construct maintenance and repair centers in addition to training thousands in improved hygiene and sanitation practices.
The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation was so impressed with the work of World Vision in West Africa that it included them among a short list of grantees, matching their donations, dollar for dollar. Therefore, because of our affiliation with World Vision, all the money Salon Forum raises for drilling in West Africa will be matched by Hilton, dollar for dollar.