Overview

Water

The world water crisis is one of the largest public health issues of our time. Nearly 1.1 billion people (roughly 20% of the world’s population) lack access to safe drinking water. The lack of clean, safe drinking water is estimated to kill almost 4,500 children per day. In fact, out of the 2.2 million unsafe drinking water deaths in 2004, 90% were children under the age of five.

The statistics in Liberia are no different. The water supply and sanitation sector has seriously deteriorated after 14 years of civil war that left approximately 80 percent of the population living in absolute poverty and 54 percent in extreme poverty (living on less than US$1/per day).

Even before the war, waterborne diseases were a problem in Liberia. This was exacerbated during the war when many water points and water systems were damaged. While the Government of Liberia is currently working along with its partners to restore pipe borne water supply to Monrovia and its environs, the country faces serious healthcare challenges regarding waterborne diseases like Cholera and Diarrhea. While significant progress has been made since the end of the war, still only 25% of Liberians have access to safe drinking water. Many Liberians continue to drink contaminated water because of unsafe water treatment and distribution systems and unsafe water storage and handling practices. As such, diarrheal diseases remain among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality, especially for children under 5 years of age. Epidemics of cholera and acute bloody diarrhea occur during the rainy season when the water and sanitary conditions are deplorable.

FACE Africa and Clean Water

In October of 2009, FACE Africa, in partnership with Clean Water for Kids Now and a generous grant from the Davis Project for Peace, completed it’s first project in Bardnersville, a small community of approximately 450 - 650 with several wells but no direct source of clean water supply. The project involved the installation of a water purification system, known by its trade name as the Skyhydrant, that can produce up to 20,000 liters of drinking water per day. For more information on the Skyhydrant, literature materials, updates and future project plans, please contact Dr. Armah Kpissay, Project Inventor and Founder of Clean Water for Kids Now.

Future Clean Water Project Goals

It is the goal of FACE Africa to not only provide clean and safe water to those in need, but to do so through sustainable projects implemented by excellent partners in the countries where they work. Our future projects in collaboration with partners will include:

• Digging new wells and rehabilitating existing ones

• Installing water pumps

• Distributing point of use water treatment solutions

• Training water and sanitation committees

• Organizing hygiene education sessions

WHY WE WORK THROUGH PARTNERS

Most organizations are doing life-changing work and need additional funding to expand their outreach and scope. FACE Africa will help these already existing non-profits do even more.

Our partners on the ground have spent years researching the terrain, and have the necessary expertise, resources, and manpower to successfully implement projects. FACE Africa will rely on this experience and knowledge to ensure sustainable, long-lasting water programs.

Sources: WaterAid, 2005, UNICEF/WHO Water for Life, Making it Happen, 2005, UNICEF/WHO Water for Life, Making it Happen, 2005, USAID Liberia Water and Sanitation Profile, PSI Liberia