WaterAid (www.wateraidamerica.org) designs, develops and deploys programs for delivering clean drinking water in the developing world. Every 20 seconds, a child dies needlessly from lack of clean drinking water, and countless others are too sick to go to school. Millions of hours are wasted each day as women and children walk to collect often filthy water in containers. Millions of people are exposed to disease by lack of sanitation facilities. Schools without safe water and sanitation cannot attract teachers, and without private sanitation facilities, girls often drop out as they reach puberty. Safe drinking water is basic. Without it, not much else matters. Maternal and child health, primary education, gender equality and economic growth, are all dependent on safe water, improved hygiene and sanitation.

Founded in 1981, WaterAid works with local partners in the world's poorest communities to influence policy and to deliver services which are appropriate, integrated, sustainable, informed and transferable.

"Water: our Thirsty World," (http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2010/04/water-slaves/rosenberg-text ) the April 2010 issue of National Geographic, provides a helpful perspective.

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