The History of Charity: Water

Charity: Water is a nonprofit organization that brings clean and safe drinking water to those in need. In 2006, Scott Harrison (a nightclub promotor), went to Liberia and saw the dire need for drinkable and clean water in the area. He decided to change the way that people dealt with the global water crisis. One of the main distinguishing factors is how Charity: Water transports its water. After World War 2, the Germans left tons and tons of “jerry” cans around, which were large metal containers used to transport fuel. Harrison saw an opportunity in the cans, which lead him to the idea to create plastic jerry cans to transport the water around. They were lightweight compared to their metal counterparts and purposely colored yellow to distinguish them from the fuel cans. This initiative gained momentum because of fundraising techniques and a commitment to transparency. Through collaboration with partners, every dollar raised was directed toward this sustainable water project. Social media helped to gather attention to this project. Now, 11 million people across 29 countries have clean water. the potential of collective action. Thus, uplifting humanity can equip future generations of a brighter, more equitable future.