3for5 Blog

3for5 Foundation is Shutting Down

2014-05-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

Dear 3for5 Community,

Today we’re announcing that the 3for5 Foundation will be shutting down at the end of this calendar year, 2014.

We started 3for5 nearly six years ago with a dream to help people in desperate need gain access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities, as well as to improve hygiene awareness in places like schools and care-points for children.

Today, we’re proud to say that all of us -- together -- have made significant strides in this pursuit.
First, we’ve channeled nearly $100,000 to water/sanitation projects throughout Africa, building wells, latrines, and funding various water initiatives that have helped thousands of people -- many of them children!

We’ve worked with amazing partners like the Millennium Water Alliance, Water for People and Children’s Hope Chest who have all helped ensure our projects are not only targeted and efficient, but sustainable so that each of our grants will continue to provide benefit well into the future.

And, we’ve done all of this while engaging foundation funding-partners to cover administrative and other costs so that 100% of any 3for5 water donations could fund on-the-ground project costs that directly help those in need.

But, despite all of these accomplishments, we -- the board of directors -- have decided to bring the 3for5 experiment to a close.

There are several key reasons for this decision, but two that we think are most important to relate.

First, running a non-profit takes a significant amount of time, energy, and resources. When we initially created 3for5, we envisioned an organization that could harness large groups of people donating small amounts of money, all of which we could connect with our partners. The reality is this vision never fully scaled, making it difficult to prove the value of 3for5 as an entity operating in-between our donors (that’s you) and the organizations actually doing the work “on the ground” (our water-partners).

Second, because of the above, we each began to realize that it would be more efficient to advocate for water directly on behalf of existing clean-water charities who also need their message and brand to connect with donors. To that end, we as a board have decided that our energies and attention would be better served if we simply continued our clean-water advocacy as individuals, supporting other established non-profits in this space.

We feel strongly about this, and would like to urge you to do the same. Just because 3for5 is coming to an end, the water crisis is not. There are still countless millions of people who need access to clean water, and we have great water partners that still need your support. So please sign-up and donate to them directly.

Finally, other non-profits in this space are doing amazing work as well. If you’re interested, check out Blood:Water, charity:water, and water.org, among others.

It has been a pleasure guiding and nurturing the organization we all know as “3for5,” especially knowing we’ve been able to make the impact we have made with you -- our donors...our friends.

Thank you for supporting us and our cause. The journey isn’t over yet, but is instead beginning anew.

Sincerely,

David, Lenee, Anthony, Dawn, Scott, and Vince

The Board of Directors of the 3for5 Foundation

FAQ About the 3for5 Shutdown

What’s Happening?

The 3for5 Foundation will cease operations after December 31st, 2014.

Why have we made this decision?

Running a non-profit takes a significant amount of time, energy, and resources. When we initially created 3for5, we envisioned an organization that could harness large groups of people donating small amounts of money that we could connect with our partners. The reality is this vision never fully scaled, making it difficult to prove the value of 3for5 as an entity operating in-between our donors and our partners -- the organizations actually doing the work “on the ground.”

Because of this, we as a board have decided that our energies and attention would be better served if we simply continued our clean-water advocacy as individuals, supporting other established non-profits in this space directly instead of via 3for5.

What Will Happen to My Donations?

Every dollar that has thus far been donated to 3for5 for clean water projects has been granted to one of our water partners. You can read more about those projects on our website. That said, we are still accepting donations through June 30th, 2014. After that, we plan to make a final grant to one of our water partners with any newly donated funds as well as the remaining monies that were designated for operating the foundation.

When is the Last Day 3for5 Can Accept Donations?

June 30th, 2014.

I Still Want to Donate to Clean Water Projects after June 30th. What Should I Do?

We feel strongly about continuing to donate to clean-water charities, and would like to urge you to do the same. Just because 3for5 is coming to an end, the water crisis is not. There are still countless millions of people who need access to clean water, and there are many great water charities who still need resources to help people in need.

Please consider donating directly to any of the following Water charities:

Children’s Hope Chest: http://www.hopechest.org/
Water for People: http://waterforpeople.org/
Blood:Water: http://www.bloodwater.org/
charity: water: http://www.charitywater.org/
water.org: http://water.org

Clean Water For Two More Orphan Communities By Spring 2014!

2014-01-29T23:27:00.000-08:00

3for5 is excited to announce the great news that two more orphan communities in Swaziland, Africa will have access to clean water this Spring because of your donations!

In December 2013, 3for5 granted $25,850 to Children’s HopeChest as part of a matching gift campaign to raise money for well systems for CHC’s Lesibovu and Fountain of Life CarePoints in the Manzini region. These wells will provide clean water and enable sanitation and irrigation for more than 240 orphans and vulnerable children and their communities.

We celebrate the life and growth these children will experience as a result of your heart and generosity! Thank you!

Water is Flowing Again and Leafy Greens are Growing!

2013-07-04T10:28:00.000-07:00

3for5 is pleased to share pictures of two more completed water projects in Swaziland, Africa - both projects were accomplished by our partner Children’s HopeChest (CHC) using 3for5 funds.

First, a water pump was installed and water is FLOWING at the Bhalekane CarePoint, giving clean water to more than 240 orphans, vulnerable children and their community.

The second project, an irrigation system at the Mkhombokati CarePoint, is enabling 200+ children and their community to water a freshly planted community garden. Check out the beautiful green produce that is already growing, supported by the system that 3for5 funded!

In both Swazi communities, your donations are changing lives - thank you!

Ekudzeni Strikes Water!

2013-03-17T06:00:00.000-07:00

3for5 just received pictures and video from Children's HopeChest capturing progress at our water project site in Ekudzeni, Swaziland.

This project’s deep borehole well, solar pump and water tank will give more than 200 orphans and vulnerable children as well as the surrounding community the opportunity to thrive in new and sustainable ways.

Watch here as the borehole driller strikes water (especially at 1:03)!

Looking ahead, we invite you to continue to join us in quenching the thirst of vulnerable children and families around the world!

3for5 Announces Grant to Provide Clean Water in Swaziland, Africa

2012-12-21T06:00:00.000-08:00

3for5 is pleased to announce its new partnership with Children’s Hope Chest (CHC) to provide clean water to orphans and vulnerable families at the Ekudzeni CarePoint in Swaziland, Africa.

3for5 has given a $22,220 grant to CHC which will fund the construction of a deep borehole well, as well as the installation of a solar pump and water tank. This project will give more than 200 orphans and vulnerable children (and the surrounding community) the opportunity to thrive in new and sustainable ways.

Read more this project on 3for5.org here.

P.S. A special thank you goes to K2 the Church, whose community donated the entire grant amount through their Luvolution initiative and other donations!

An Easy Way to Tell Your Friends about the Clean-Water Crisis and 3for5

2012-09-09T10:08:00.000-07:00

The global clean-water crisis is a world-wide problem, and it can often be overwhelming to try and explain it all to a friend, family member, co-worker, or aquaintance.

We created 3for5 as a tool to help focus this process, and one useful document in your arsenal is the 3for5 Donor Handout.

It provides a concise overview of 3for5, the 3for5 Movement, and how to invite your friends to participate with you. So, as you consider how to get your friends involved in 3for5, take a look by clicking the link below.

3for5 Friends Handout

3for5 Celebrates Your Impact in Rwanda!

2012-05-11T06:00:00.000-07:00

Recently, 3for5 funded a $6,000 grant request from Water for People, helping fill a critical funding gap in their 2011 water and sanitation program in the Kicukiro district of Rwanda.

This project serves more than 17,000 people in 39 communities (including 4 schools), and we’re excited to share the final construction report from Water for People detailing the activities our grant money helped fund. Download the report here.

Last but not least, Water for People has received some exciting news coverage in the Rwandan New Times. Read more here.

3for5 Grants $6,000 to Water for People for Water Projects in Rwanda!

2011-11-15T08:00:00.000-08:00

The 3for5 Foundation is proud to announce that it has made a clean-water grant in the amount of $6,000 to Water for People (WFP) to help fund a water project in Kicukiro, Rwanda.

For more details on this project, click here.

Below: Photos from Rwanda courtesy Water for People.

Celebrating News from Nigeria!

2011-10-09T15:00:00.000-07:00

This past spring, 3for5 funded half of a $20,000 water project at Sancta Maria School in Umuaka, Nigeria. Now, we’re excited to report that this project is fully complete!

3for5’s grant made the school’s new borehole well accessible to 1500+ students and teachers, as well as thousands of community members. In addition, your donations provided hygiene eduction materials for use in the school, along with sufficient funding to build a new bathroom building complete with running water and flushing toilets.

To see more details about this project, including 3for5 partner Millennium Water Alliance’s final report and a video from the project site, click here.

Thank you for being a part of this incredible project - these events wouldn’t have been possible without your generous financial support.

More to come...

The 3for5 Team

MWA Final Report for the Sancta Maria School WASH Project

2011-10-09T14:19:00.000-07:00

Project/Program Description
Eagle of Hope, Inc., a non-profit corporation with principal office at 8616 Lugano Road, Box 1004, Randallstown, MD 211333, under a subgrant from Millennium Water Alliance, Washington, DC, executed an agreement to build a fully-functional water and sanitation project, with a hygiene education component, at the site of the Sancta Maria School in Umuaka, Nigeria. Until this project’s completion, the school had no on-site supply of clean drinking water with washing stations or flush toilets. A building was constructed to house separate restroom facilities for men and women, for the use of teachers and children at the school. A borehole well had been previously completed by Eagle of Hope; this subgrant was to allow Eagle of Hope to conduct water testing in compliance with state standards, and to complete the facility and provide instruction on hygiene to teachers for use with students at the school.

Sancta Maria School Project Final Report Video from 3for5 Foundation.

Requirements for the Project
The following specific contracted deliverables were completed on site:

2 washing stations, 6 latrines with toilet paper dispensers, and space/hardware for hand drying
Completed water safety and quality tests prior to further infrastructure expenditures, and submission of verified documentation of the testing results to MWA
Acquisition, transportation and preparation of necessary material for the construction and safe operation of all components - housing for the latrines and sinks (including doors, windows, locks, roofing, paint, and hardware for operability), water tanks, plumbing, pump(s), generators, electrical connections
Labor to be provided by qualified contractors under the supervision of EOH; MOU, and final photographs of the completed project
Hygiene education materials for use in the school
Cooperation with Catholic Relief Services in the event they are able and willing to do site visit(s) at some point, and offer any advice or assistance
Appropriate communication by EOH with school and relevant local officials as the work progressed.

BeneficiariesDirect beneficiaries of the Eagle of Hope WASH program are the students and teaching staff at Sancta Maria Nursery, Primary and Secondary School. In total, this population includes:

Nursery/Primary School

Student Population: 800 (375 male students; 425 female students)
Teaching staff: 23 (2 male teachers and 21 female teachers.)

Secondary School

Student Population: 640 (315 male students; 325 female students)
Teaching Staff: 42 (14 male teachers; 28 female teachers)

Indirect Beneficiaries

Sancta Maria Catholic parish population
Umuaka community local market
Over 2,000 individuals from nearby and outside communities.

Narrative Statement by EOH
On May 9, 2011, the tested water sample passed all parameters for inspection and was deemed as suitable drinking water within the Nigerian standard. I notified MWA who gave me permission to start the project. Prior to this time I had a meeting with the school committee and explained to them the budget to finish the project, they were grateful with MWA and Eagle of Hope for efforts in bringing them the WASH program in their school. On the final day, general sanitation and hygiene education in the use of adequate water for washing hands and cleaning up was taught to the school students, teachers, and staff. The principle of the school and the school committee thanked MWA and Eagle of Hope and signed off on the successful completion of the project.
- Sabinus Anadyke, Founder and Director of Eagle of Hope, Inc. (edited)

Further Notes
MWA is re-vamping its website in August and early September, and will include a feature on Sancta Maria School project and The 3for5 Foundation’s critical assistance in completing it. The $10,000 provided by 3for5 Foundation was disbursed to Mr. Anadyke in two installments - $6,000 at the beginning of the second phase and $4,000 after the project’s completion.

Share 3for5’s New Video With Your Friends!

2011-07-02T10:56:00.000-07:00

Hello Droplets -- we’re excited to let you know about a brand new video that helps cast the vision for 3for5. Check it out below, or watch it on 3for5's home page.

We think this video will make it easier than ever to share 3for5 with your friends, so feel free to use it as you reengage your community to make a difference for clean water.

Enjoy,
The 3for5 Team

K2 Refresh Raises $4,426.14 for Clean Water!

2011-04-25T21:24:00.000-07:00

During World Water Week, we wrote about students from K2 the Church who participated in an event called "Refresh." This event helped raised money for 3for5’s latest water project in Nigeria.

Highlights included packing thousands of meals for Kids Against Hunger to feed people in the Philippines; visiting a fellow student in the hospital; fasting and praying for people without clean water; and making a 4,100+ link paper-chain as a tangible reminder of the number of children who will die in a single day from diseases caused by dirty water.

Overall, the K2 students helped raised $4,426.14 for clean water! Vertical students and leaders: thank you for your sacrifice and inspiration!

Olympus Junior High Students Inspire!

2011-04-25T20:57:00.001-07:00

Students at Olympus Jr. High School (OJH) in Salt Lake City, UT were inspired by their teacher Sarah White to sell handmade Threads of Hope bracelets to help give water to students in Nigeria. In addition to raising money to support the people who made the bracelets, OJH students brought in $1,321.25 for water! Their efforts were so rewarding that students want to focus on raising funds monthly for the rest of the school year. Thank you and way to go, OJH students!

Students from K2 the Church “Refresh” for Clean Water

2011-03-19T19:53:00.000-07:00

Youth from K2 the Church in Salt Lake City, UT will gather for “Refresh,” an event taking place on March 25-26 that will raise awareness and money to provide safe water to children and their families in the developing world. Sacrificing time, effort, and appetite, students will fast for 25 hours and 35 minutes in order to focus on the global water cause and on serving their local community. They hope to raise at least $2,900 in pledges and donations for 3for5 to be used toward providing water, sanitation, and hygiene education for 1,573 kids and their community in Umuaka, Imo State, Nigeria.

Additionally, a private donor has committed to match any donations connected to "Refresh" up to $2900!

Online tax-deductible donations in support of the students’ “Refresh” efforts can be made at 3for5.org - simply add the word “Refresh” after your last name in the registration process (e.g. First Name: ‘Susan’... Last Name: ‘Jones Refresh’). Or, you can add the word "Refresh" as your affiliation in your 3for5 profile.

Design a T-Shirt for 3for5, Promote Wearable Philanthropy, Win Money!

2011-03-05T13:37:00.000-08:00

A while back, I posted on these pages about the great work Alexis Fedor, founder of Love+Water Designs, is doing to promote charities through "wearable philanthropy".

The idea behind Love+Water Designs is to feature a different charity on their website each month. During that month, anyone can submit a design for a t-shirt inspired by that charity, and we can all vote for our favorite design. At the end of the month, a winning design is chosen, and 50% of all that shirt's ongoing proceeds will be donated back to the featured charity.

Well, this month 3for5 is the featured charity on Love+Water, and we want to encourage you to help us spread the word about clean water and Wearable Philanthropy.

So here's how:

Design a cool t-shirt inspired by 3for5 and submit it on Love+Water's website (as a design submitter, you can win prizes if your design is chosen).
Vote for your favorite 3for5 t-shirt here.
Spread the word to your friends via Twitter, Facebook, Flickr, Gmail, your blog, or any other way you can think of. In order for designs to be eligible, 3for5 shirts need to be submitted this month!

I'm excited to see what our community comes up with, so let the designing and creativity begin!

3for5 Grants $10,000 to MWA for Sancta Maria School in Nigeria!

2011-02-23T13:15:00.000-08:00

The 3for5 Foundation is proud to announce that it has made a clean-water grant in the amount of $10,000 to Millennium Water Alliance (MWA) to help fund a $20,000 water project at Sancta Maria School in Umuaka, Nigeria.

Please consider donating via 3for5.org in order to help us further improve water access in Nigeria!

Get started here: http://movement.3for5.org/movement/donate.html

Get a 3for5 T-shirt with a Donation of $25 or More!

2011-02-01T16:38:00.000-08:00

We are excited to announce the availability of 3for5 t-shirts! These soft, pre-shrunk, custom-designed shirts look and feel GREAT! Both the men's heathered, dark-denim poly/cotton blend and the women's dark grey cotton v-neck shirts look cool and represent an amazing cause and initiative. Multiply your impact and look good at the same time!

To donate, simply login to 3for5.org and click the "donate" tab at the top of the page. Then, send an email to tshirts@3for5.org with the following information:

Your name
Shipping address
T-shirt preferences (male/female, size, & style (logo or face)).

SIZING NOTE: Women's shirts run a little small - more like juniors’ sizing. We recommend that adult women order a size bigger than what they normally wear. In stock shirts will ship out within 5 business days of receiving your information. If your size is not in stock, we will email you with an estimated ship date (typically within 3 weeks).

SHIPPING NOTE: Shipments outside of the continental US may incur additional shipping costs.

Never Too Young to Make a Difference!

2010-11-04T19:19:00.000-07:00

In the spirit of this upcoming Thanksgiving, we’d like to highlight an inspirational story about a 10 year old girl in Colorado Springs who wants to make a difference in the lives of people in Africa and the Philippines.

Last month, Emma, driven by compassion and a desire to help, sold bracelets provided by 3for5 (made by Threads of Hope) as a fundraiser in her neighborhood and her school.

Emma writes of her experience: “After hearing about the mission of 3for5 and Threads of Hope I decided that I wanted to help out those in need. It’s been amazing to see how many people at my school and in my neighborhood want to help too by buying a bracelet or making a donation. It's been rewarding to know that even though I'm only 10, I can help to make a difference.”

And making a difference is what Emma is doing! So far, she has raised more than $105, an investment that will provide a lifetime of safe water for 2 people in Africa and going on a whole month of good, honest income to feed, clothe and educate a Filipino family who handmade the bracelets.

Thank you, Emma, for your heart and efforts to help people get clean water and provide for their families. You are an inspiration to us all!

P.S. If anyone is interested in raising money for clean water through selling Threads of Hope bracelets, like Emma is doing, please contact us at 3for5.org.

Imagine a Life with Water!

2010-10-08T07:53:00.001-07:00

Imagine having the broken shallow well in your community - a daily hopeless reminder of your unquenchable thirst - fixed!

Imagine your relief as your village receives training on the operation and maintenance of the Afridev hand pump that has been fitted to this well.

Imagine drinking clean water for the very first time from a new borehole well, as your community leaders are mobilized and educated to sustain its maintenance for decades to come.

Imagine playing with your best friends by the well being drilled next to your school, your mouths watering in anticipation of being able to get a drink by the end of the year.

Imagine being trained as a local mason, able to build ecological sanitation latrines for your neighbors, family and friends - or as a mobile mechanic, equipped to provide advanced technical support for maintenance and timely repair of water systems.

Imagine having a toilet for the first time ever, one that will pay for itself by composting waste into valuable fertilizer that you will sell to the entrepreneur who will sell it to local farmers.

Imagine experiencing the effects of learning about handwashing, proper water storage techniques, and elimination of open defecation through hygeine clubs, drama, music, posters, demonstrations, and leaflets.

Now celebrate with us, because you were a part of helping all of these things become reality!

With your 3for5 donation, you were part of a massive coordinated local, national and international effort to provide clean water, sanitation, and health and hygiene programs to approximately 5 schools (2,749 children & teachers) and 20 villages (3,250 community members) located within Traditional Authorities (TA’s) of Kasisi and Maseya in Chikhwawa, Malawi.

With your $10,000, our 3for5 community funded the provision of water and sanitation as well as hygiene promotion to approximately 164 community members and 139 children & teachers (the equivalent of a lifetime of water for 60 average-sized families in Malawi).

This is just the beginning! Thank you for joining together in our effort to give people in Chikhwawa, Malawi clean water - you are making a tremendous difference!

(Ps - to read more about Water for People's progress on the projects we're funding, click here)

Water for People's Midterm Progress Report

2010-10-03T15:05:00.000-07:00

In February of 2010, 3for5 made a $10,000 grant to Water for People to help fund water projects in Malawi. We recently received a midterm progress report from Water for People, and are excited to share it with you! Read on for some very encouraging details (note: the text below has been excerpted directly from WFP's report and is accurate as of September, 2010).

Project Summary

Organization: Water for People
Project Name: Chikhwawa Water, Sanitation, Health and Hygiene Promotion Program
Total 3for5 funding to date: $10,000
Total Project Amount: $197,511
Reporting Period Covered: January 2010 - August 2010
Objective: To increase access to water and sanitation facilities and create incentives for positive hygiene behavior change in the Chikhwawa District of Malawi.

The Program

Water For People is pleased to report on the progress of the Chikhwawa Water, Sanitation, Health and Hygiene Promotion Program. In partnership with the Chikhwawa District Assembly, local non-governmental organization (NGO) Freshwater Project, and local communities, Water For People-Malawi is working to complete water, sanitation, and health and hygiene programs in approximately five schools and 12 communities located in three Traditional Authorities (TA's) of Kasisi and Maseya. Upon completion of the program approximately 3,250 community members will have access to clean water and hygiene education and 2,749 school children and teachers will have access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene education. Community sanitation programming is ongoing and the number of latrines built will be based on the success of local sanitation business programming.

Progress Towards Objectives

Water: Funding from 3for5 Foundation is supporting the rehabilitation of broken wells and the implementation of new wells in the District of Chikhwawa.

Water For People is pleased to report that the rehabilitation of the 5 shallow wells is complete and construction of the 7 new borehole wells is on track to be complete by the end of December 2010. Each of these wells is fitted with an Afridev hand pump. Village level water committees have been formed in all twenty of the borehole project sites and are receiving training on operation and maintenance of the Afridev hand pump. Additional training on committee procedures, roles and responsibilities of committee members and financial management of the system will take place during the implementation of the well. Committee members are working at mobilizing and educating the community on the importance of paying water tariffs to ensure the committee can pay for spare parts and maintenance of the system in the future. In addition to community need, Water For People is also facilitating the installation of wells in five primary schools.
Sanitation: Funding from 3for5 Foundation is supporting the development of a sustainable community sanitation services program using a business approach.

The grant is also supporting a comprehensive school sanitation program. Water for People-Malawi's Sanitation as a Business program shifts away from the traditional subsidy-driven sanitation programming and instead focuses on a business-driven model. The program trains local masons to be Sanitation Entrepreneurs and teaches them how to build ecological sanitation latrines for individual households. The latrines are designed to compost human waste into valuable fertilizer. The entrepreneur returns regularly to purchase and remove the compost and through this exchange, the family pays off the cost of the toilet. The entrepreneur can then sell the compost to local farmers and is incentivized to get other households to want a composting toilet to increase profits.

In order to support the Sanitation as a Business program, Water For People-Malawi and local partners have trained fourteen local masons as Sanitation Entrepreneurs. In addition, Water for People-Malawi and local partners are working to educate community members on the use and benefits of latrines. The entrepreneurs are currently building improved pit-latrines or composting latrines in communities throughout the TAs of Kasisi and Maseya. By December 2010, Water For People-Malawi speculates that a minimum of 25 households in each targeted village will have household latrines and those who opt for a composting latrine will pay the entrepreneur back in compost. Households with children under five will also receive child size sanitation platforms to place over a small hole in their household yard. These appropriate sized latrines are less intimidating for small children and will teach children at a young age the important habit of using latrines, as opposed to open defecation.

Sanitation facilities will also be implemented in the five targeted communities. Ecological toilets will be built at each school. The number of latrines built is proportional to the student population. The latrines have a superstructure and cement floors that provide privacy for the children and also make the latrines easy to maintain and keep clean.
Hygiene: Funding from 3for5 Foundation has been used to develop and implement community and school hygiene education programs.

Water For People-Malawi’s partners are carrying out hygiene promotion programs for the twelve targeted communities. Using drama, music, leaflets, posters, flip charts and demonstrations, the hygiene program focuses on changing the following key hygiene behaviors: four important times for handwashing (before cooking, before eating, after using the bathroom, and after cleaning a baby), proper water storage techniques and the elimination of open defecation.

Similar messages and means for promoting health and hygiene education in schools are also taking place. Each school is forming a hygiene club that helps to disseminate and organize hygiene activities in the school. In addition, these clubs, made up of students and teachers, are also being trained on operation and maintenance of the latrines and handwashing stations.
Alternative Operation and Maintenance: Funding from 3for5 Foundation has helped to develop sustainable private sector approaches that have the potential to provide better service, less downtime and greater efficiency.

In 2010, Water for People developed a circuit rider program that trains local mechanics to provide regular maintenance and timely repair of water systems, while giving local communities alternatives for system maintenance. Approximately five mobile mechanics are being trained and can be contracted by the village water committees to provide advanced technical support to each community.

In addition to the circuit riders, communities and school officials are being trained on operation and maintenance of their systems. They are also receiving additional financial training to be able to support future repairs and eventual replacement of their systems.
Capacity Building: Funding from 3for5 Foundation has been used to help build the capacity of our partners to be able to support each project for the long term.

Water For People-Malawi has held a series of capacity trainings in the form of exchange visits, workshops, mentoring and on-site coaching. These trainings have focused on strategic planning, advocacy, organizational management, and project development and management. Water For People is planning two Joint Program Planning and Review Conferences to share challenges, opportunities and lessons learned amongst our partners and other development organizations. In Chikhwawa, four meetings were held with implementing partners to discuss and map out project components and methods for monitoring and evaluating the outputs, outcomes, and impact of each water project. In 2010, training was conducted with the District Assembly, specifically the District Water Officer, in water-point monitoring.
Replication and Influence: Funding from 3for5 Foundation has also helped Water For People-Malawi to influence policy and sustainable programming in other parts of Chikhwawa and Malawi.

Water For People-Malawi participated in the production of the Chikhwawa District WASH Strategic Investment Plan (DSIP). This plan will support the institutionalization of the National Water Point Mapping database as a planning tool for Chikhwawa District Assembly. The database will help the district assembly to more accurately track community needs and responses to these needs. Water For People-Malawi also worked to develop a Citizen’s Action Initiative to enhance transparency, accountability in resource allocation, and delivery of water supply and sanitation service in the district. In 2010, the Chikhwawa WASH District Strategic Investment Plans were disseminated; the plans are being shared with different stakeholders and potential donors that want to work in the Chikhwawa District.

Water For People-Malawi is also gaining attention from other international and local NGOs, as well as the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Development and the University of Malawi for our innovative Sanitation as a Business model. In addition, the district government asked Water for People to lead in discussions in a number of forums like the preparations of the African Health Congress meeting, which took place in Malawi in May. We were also asked to review Government documents like the Operation and Maintenance Manual for rural water supply, and help in the development of Terms of Reference for Sanitation for the peri-urban areas.

Students from the 'International Academy, Okma' Save Lives!

2010-08-07T12:04:00.000-07:00

Students from the International Academy in Bloomfield Hills, MI, rallied together this past school year to raise awareness and more than $800 for clean water in the developing world!

These students formed the 3for5 Club to create educational posters and raise funds with bake sales and "Valentine Grams."

Plus, more donations came in from Mrs. Tonkin’s product team, and fundraising efforts crescendoed in the school-wide "Dash For Cash", an event where students walk or run to promote health and raise money for 3for5 projects and other great causes.

Thank you IA Okma students for your hard work, concern for people in need, and for your unbounded generosity!!!

Support 3for5 with our new Capital One Visa Card!

2010-04-27T09:41:00.000-07:00

3for5, Capital One, and Visa have teamed up to raise money for clean-water by creating a new 3for5 Visa credit card (issued by Capital One).

This is an exciting partnership because Capital One will pay a portion of your credit card purchases directly to 3for5! Plus, just by signing-up, 3for5 will immediately receive $50 from Capital One.

Here's how it all works:

Go to CapitalOne's CardLabConnect website here, and signup for the 3for5 Foundation Card.
Use your new card whereever you would normally. 2% of your grocery and gas purchases; 1% of all other purchases; and 10% of purchases at select merchants will be donated directly to 3for5 by Capital One.
3for5 gets $50 from Capital One whenever someone signs up.

Now, to be clear, this is benefiting Capital One & Visa. After all, they're getting your credit card business (and it's obviously worth $50 plus somewhere between 1% and 10% of all your charges to get you as a customer).

Plus, we should be clear that all of your credit card "point earnings" accrued by using this card will be donated to 3for5. That's a pretty big deal for some people, because it means you won't be accumulating "cash back" or "travel rewards" as you use your credit card.

However, 3for5 will, which is a great benefit to our organization.

So, if you want a way to make easy donations to 3for5 without even thinking about; and if you want to help spread the word about 3for5 and clean-water every time you hand your card to a store clerk or pull it out of your wallet when you're with friends; then this card may be the right fit for you.

Thanks for helping us get clean water to those who need it most.

LTU.edu Video Contest

2010-04-27T09:12:00.001-07:00

Over the last few months, students from Lawrence Technological University (ltu.edu) have been competing in a university-organized contest to produce 3o-second PSA videos that will help spread the word about 3for5 and our mission to help people get clean water.

Well, the results are in.

Congratulations to John, Jaun, Megan and the rest of team who took first prize (a $1,000 scholarship each to Lawrence Tech) with the creation of the "IT" campaign. View the winning video below.

At 3for5, we are honored to have Lawrence Tech faculty, staff and students embrace our vision through this contest. Not only is this kind of thing exactly what 3for5 is all about--grass roots activities for clean water happening in addition to our formal efforts inside the 3for5 Movement--but this was a great opportunity to get budding media students some real-world experience in helping a client (3for5 in this case) craft a targeted, useful, multi-media message.

Thanks again to ltu.edu!!

Last but not least, here are some links to the other submissions:

Video 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qeosjMS5_g

Video 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkrBJ0F_MAo

Video 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXuTTdsr5UE

Video 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4g8JPeS8bO8

Video 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAWcuZyCClw

Video 6: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LPC-g2bCfg

50 Launch Gatherings for World Water Day!

2010-03-08T12:56:00.000-08:00

World Water Day is March 22nd, and we're hoping to have more than fifty 3for5 "Launch Gatherings" during that week to raise awareness about the clean water crisis in the developing world.

What's a Launch Gathering, you ask?

Well, it's a fun and easy way to engage your friends in a dialog about clean water by doing what you already do with your friends: hang out! 3for5 Launch Gatherings can be hosted wherever like and are also meant to be a launching pad for your 3for5 Wave.

There's no hard and fast rule about what a Launch Gathering should look like, or what exactly should happen. You might invite some friends over for dessert, a meal, or even a game-night.

Just pick a location that you and your friends will feel comfortable at, and be sure to take some time to talk to your friends about 3for5 and clean water at some point during your event. Remember, you really can get creative here and talk about 3for5 and clean water as much, or as little, as you'd like.

To help make your gathering a success, we've created a Launch Gathering Packet that you can use as a template for ideas, recipes, and handouts.

Finally, share your ideas and experiences with us and other 3for5 droplets on our GetSatisfaction page here.

Improvements to 3for5.org

2010-03-08T11:38:00.001-08:00

We've added some new and updated pages to 3for5.org. Here are the details...

News Page

Our News page will supplement this blog and act as a repository for external news about 3for5.org and the 3for5 Movement. Read more here: http://www.3for5.org/aboutus/news.html

Images, Handouts, and Media

We've added a "media" page where you can download regular and high-res versions of various 3for5 images and handouts. See more here: http://www.3for5.org/aboutus/media.html

3for5 Launch Gatherings

For those new to the 3for5 Movement, we've detailed one more way you can engage your family and friends in a dialog about the clean water crisis: invite them over for a 3for5 Launch Gathering to kick off your wave. Download our 3for5 Launch Gathering packet, and learn more here: http://www.3for5.org/thecause/gatherings.html

Projects & Progress Page

Last, but certainly not least, we've revamped our Project & Progress page to keep you better informed about the projects we're funding. Have a look here: http://www.3for5.org/thecause/projects.html