Investing in water this Christmas
This Christmas, in the UK we are expected to spend £22.5 billion on gifts, decorations, food and drink (according to YouGov). This predicts each British household to spend £821 over the Christmas season. At Christmas we as consumers hold considerable financial power over where we choose to spend our money. However, there still remains 748 million people who do not have access to clean water in the world. This Christmas we want to create something lasting and help alleviate the ongoing world water crisis.
Investments in water provisions have been proven to yield positive economic returns. Access to clean water reduces time wasted on water collection, acts as a preventative measure to many waterborne diseases and saves money spent on treating water and sanitation related issues. For every $1 invested in water and sanitation, there is an economic return of between $3 – $34 depending on the region of investment (WHO). Therefore, if one year of UK Christmas spending was to be invested into water and sanitation there would be a minimum of £43 billion return.
Alongside these economic benefits there are also benefits to people’s quality of life. Women and children are often disproportionately hit hardest by lack of clean water as primary collectors of water suffer who often long journeys to often unclean sources of water. Reduction or elimination of this time enables children to stay in school and for women to increase productivity within their communities. Sanitation and hygiene training on basic issues such as hand washing are effective at reducing preventable diseases. The provision of safe, clean and sustainable water is a gift that is crucial to the eradication of poverty. Sustainable access to clean water positively impacts health and social and economic development of a community and lays the foundation for a brighter future.
With even a minimal transfer of Christmas spending to investments in clean water for developing countries we can make a real difference to communities in the developing world. This Christmas, do something different and donate to drop4drop. By donating to drop4drop you can be safe in the knowledge that you know where your money is going and you and if you fund a whole project your recipient will receive GPS location, photos and information about the people whose lives will be improved in their name. When your project is completed, there will be a dedicated plaque to the recipient and a message on the community’s well. Your loved one will receive a certificate with full details and updates on the progress of their project. So do something extraordinary this year and fund a water project with drop4drop.
You can donate online at our virgin money giving page here