HOW IT 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, "Water Is Key."  (The name was changed to "Wells Bring Hope" at the end of 2008 to more accurately reflect the project.)

To read some of the initial reactions of the women who took up this cause, click on "Salonistas Speak."  A Task Force of  fourteen very accomplished women  from both the non-profit and for-profit worlds was formed and we have been working diligently ever since.

Our goal was to raise $30,500 to drill five wells within the first year in Niger, West Africa, one of the poorest countries in the world.  Due to the enthusiastic response of our supporters, we raised enough money for ten wells in the first ten months. 

OUR PARTNERS
Underground water is plentiful but the governments can't afford to drill for it so it is necessary to work with an NGO, non-governmental organization, to assure that a project gets completed. "Wells Bring Hope" has partnered with World Vision, Gil Garcetti and the Pacific Institute.

World Vision-our matching donor & project implementer

All funds raised by "Wells Bring Hope" are matched dollar for dollar by World Vision. World Vision is an international organization with an annual endowment of over $300 million. 86% of the money they raise goes directly to their projects.

World Vision also does the actual work on the ground, drilling our wells in Niger, West Africa.  They have a proven track record in the region, having started in Ghana in 1990. Their skill is in having a highly professional staff 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 to teach them good hygiene and proper sanitation.  They educate them about how to handle the water so it doesn't get contaminated.

They interact with the villagers in a very kind, respectful way, listening to and trying to fulfill other needs that go beyond water.  They give micro-loans to the women, knowing that they make the best entrepreneurs.  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.

Since Salon Forum is not a 501(c)(3), the funds raised are  deposited directly with The Pacific Institute, a non-profit organization, making all donations tax deductible. (Tax ID #94-3050434) Donors are directed to www.wellsbringhope.org where funds are then transferred to the Pacific Institute.

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.