One Drop

Press room

Mon, 01 Jun 2015 21:00:07 GMT

PRESS RELEASES and MEDIA ADVISORIES

2015 - 05 - 28
ONE DROP collaborates with Microsoft, using technology to raise awareness of water issues

2015 - 05 - 11
Tickets Now on Sale for One Night for ONE DROP, Imagined by Cirque du Soleil, Coming From Las Vegas to Select U.S. Cinemas Wednesday, June 10

2015 - 03 - 30
ONE DROP’S project Odisha, India winner of United Nations “Water For Life” Best Practices Award

2014 - 11 - 19
One Drop of beauty, one gracious gesture Caroline Néron and One Drop join forces

2014 - 11 - 14
Formula E, ONE DROP & Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation Team up for sustainability

2014 - 08 - 13
Poker community over-delivers again; donates more than $5 million to charity during 2014 world series of poker

2014 - 07 - 22
ONE DROP and Rotary launch the “2020 Water Partnership” to provide sustainable water and sanitation access to communities in need on three continents with an investment of $20M

2014 - 05 - 23
The Montreal Global Shapers partner with ONE DROP on the Code(Love)Hackathon

2014 - 03 - 26
Formula E partners with One Drop

2014 - 02 - 27
One Drop and Water For People join forces to develop sustainable programming to end water and sanitation poverty

2013 - 11 - 19
ONE DROP partners with Indian filmmaker Nila Madhab Panda for first-ever Bollywood film with a social message about water

2013 - 09 - 10
ONE DROP awarded international prize by the International Water Association

2013 - 07 - 15
Appointment of three new directors to One Drop’s board of directors

2013 - 05 - 22
Danielle Valiquette recognized at the Gala des prix Reconnaissance UQAM 2013

2013 - 03 - 25
Seven Cirque du Soleil Shows Came Together For Extraordinary Performance to Raise Global Awareness and Funds for Water-Related Issues

2013 - 03 - 15
66,000, the world’s largest artistic water mosaic created in Montreal auctioned for One Night for ONE DROP in Las Vegas

2013 - 03 - 13
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL to stage one-night-only original performance presented online as a special broadcast available for seven days only with donation to ONE DROP

Building Partnerships

Sat, 22 Mar 2014 18:18:00 GMT

ONE DROP and Water For People recently announced a strategic partnership to help address one of the most pressing and urgent social and economic issues faced by humanity today, and work together for the eradication of water and sanitation poverty. Leveraging their core organizational strengths, these two important players in the water and sanitation sector will be collaborating beyond the scope of individual programming, to ensure sustainability and increase the scale and impact of their work. Aiming to deliver sustainable water-access solutions, this partnership will require an investment of $10.8 million over the next 5 years as it strives to improve the lives of more than 650,000 people in India’s Sheohar district.

ONE DROP is also thrilled to announce a new charity partnership with Formula-E, the world's first fully-electric racing Championship. Formula-E, from the outset and by its very nature, demonstrates a remarkable commitment to environmental sustainability, and water in particular. This amazing partnership will help grow ONE DROP’s awareness on the world stage.

The Story of Maria and Miguelito

Sat, 22 Mar 2014 18:18:00 GMT

After enthusiastically taking part in our project in El Salvador for 3 years, Maria Elena Urquilla, mother of 5 children, wished to volunteer as an ambassador to assist other families benefitting from the project in acquiring knowledge and management skills related to clean water, agriculture, and micro-financing.

In order to take part in the training of voluntary ambassadors to ultimately benefit her community, she needed to recruit the help of her 12-year-old son, Miguelito. The young student ensured that his illiterate mother was able to follow all the workshops. And that’s how he himself became an ambassador for both his family and friends!

Now 14 years old, Miguelito is a very communicative young man, and has just finished his 6th year in the Center Cerro School in Nubes. He continues to help daily in the school garden, as well as helping his mother cultivate the family garden, a source of nutritious food for the entire family.

SIGNIFICANT AND LASTING CHANGES

Thu, 05 Sep 2013 18:18:00 GMT

Families chosen for the project have many challenges to take on. What is the most crucial one at this time?

The targeted families are among the poorest of El Salvador and the lack of water is the main cause of poverty in the project's intervention zone. A family of five has an average household income of US$296 per month. This revenue, which comes essentially from agriculture, is spent on food, education and health. A life expectancy that is much shorter than in other parts of the country, a high rate of malnutrition among children, a very high illiteracy rate (32.9%) and a very low education rate (less than four years) are the consequences of this level of poverty.

What major changes have you noted since the project got under way?

The changes I've seen are remarkable, significant and lasting. The project's targeted families now have water for consumption and for agricultural production. We notice an important decrease in gastrointestinal diseases in families (in children, in particular) who use water filters and latrines. Collected and stored rainwater enables families to grow an abundance of quality vegetables (radishes, tomatoes, cabbage, and so on) all year round, which they also sell. So in addition to providing them with essential vitamins and nutrients, these vegetables enable families to triple their income which, for instance, is then used to buy clothes for the children, medication and school supplies.

What can you tell us about ONE DROP's "tripod" approach?

Developed by ONE DROP, the tripod approach is a one-of-a-kind and innovative approach, as it attacks the causes of poverty head on. With it, concrete and long-lasting measures related to water management, microfinancing, and social arts and popular education can be implemented. The targeted families, especially young people, are mobilized on environment-related issues and challenges in their region and, in particular, on those related to universal access to water. Families gradually adopt healthy habits and behaviours that respect the environment and the water resource. In addition, Oxfam-Québec's on-site cooperation and the work accomplished with local partners ensure the community's access, an understanding of their needs and, in the long term, the sustainability of measures taken.

What helps to make the impact of our projects sustainable?

Projects make use of a simple technology adapted to the conditions of the intervention zone. For the most part, irrigation systems, water filters, latrines and energy-efficient stoves are built using local materials and are installed by local producers themselves, who are specifically trained for this purpose. In this way, maintenance is easily and accessible to all. Microfinancing offers families the possibility of starting large-scale agricultural activities (i.e., production of laying hens, pork production, tilapia farming and so on), which enables them to double or triple their annual income. In addition to greatly improving their quality of life, the money earned enables them to maintain the water infrastructure. Finally, making changes in behaviour and mobilizing families around water issues have remarkable and lasting effects.

What living conditions would you like to see in the intervention zones in 10 or 20 years from now?

All our efforts are aimed at ensuring that, in 10 to 20 years from now, the following goals have been reached:

- The entire population in the project's intervention zones has access to safe water in quantities that are sufficient for family consumption and agriculture.

- All families have access to quality food in quantities that can adequately feed each of their members.

- All families can carry out profitable economic activities allowing them to have enough money to send their children to school, to dress them, and to offer them health care when necessary.

- Members of a community work together to ensure that the intervention zone is planted with trees, that it has an abundant quantity of safe water and that all vulnerable zones are protected.

- Producers no longer resort to the slash-and-burn agriculture before sowing, no longer cultivate on soil that is sensitive to erosion and no longer use herbicides or chemical fertilizers.

We aim for changes that are significant and lasting.

POKER RAISES AWARENESS... AND OUR FUNDING POT

Thu, 05 Sep 2013 18:18:00 GMT

This summer, ONE DROP greatly benefited from the unwavering commitment of valued partner World Series of Poker^® (WSOP) to its cause through the ONE DROP High Rollers fundraising event held at the Rio All-Suites Hotel and Casino. The event was buzzing with talent from every corner of the globe, with $17M in prize money to be won and a big $4.7M marked for the tournament's last man (or woman) standing!

At the end of the day, and with the world watching thanks to ESPN3's live coverage, it was Anthony Gregg who took the event's top honour. Worth mentioning, among the "also-rans" was businessman Bill Perkins, whose 3rd place finish merited celebrations in the form of a $100K donation to ONE DROP on the spot.

With over 4,700 entrants, The Little One for ONE DROP is the second largest poker tournament this year. With such a high number of players, our fundraising event definitely got off to a great start!

When the cards finally stopped flying at the Rio, it was California's Brian Yoon who took the gold bracelet and carried away the top pot of $663,727— just a little over the $528K that ONE DROP raised from entries to the contest.

Grand total from both events and the All In for ONE DROP campaign: over $1,327,000. Not bad for a few days of poker fun in the sun!

A PERFECT BACKDROP FOR OUR ANNUAL REPORT LAUNCH

Thu, 05 Sep 2013 18:18:00 GMT

With so many key players on the world water scene in attendance, this leading event provides an ideal opportunity to place our annual report front and centre with many of the most respected individuals and organizations in the field. Additionally, the 2013 World Water Week (WWW) theme of “Water Cooperation - Building Partnerships” is perfectly aligned with ONE DROP’s own approach—that of empowering communities by partnering with them, both directly and indirectly, in the creation and management of life-quality enhancing water facilities.

While at WWW, in addition to presenting a new online version of our annual report, we’ll also be celebrating five years of significant results, highlighted most recently by our achievement as “Global Winners″ at the 2013 International Water Association (IWA) Project Innovation Awards, for our “Arts and Culture for Social Transformation″ program in Orissa, India. With the award announcement taking place during the WWW event, we raise a glass—of water, of course—to this great honour, and more importantly, to this great project.

WHAT WE’RE AIMING FOR AT WWW 2013

Thu, 05 Sep 2013 18:18:00 GMT

Stockholm’s 2013 World Water Week (WWW), held from September 1-6, is the leading annual global event for concretely addressing the planet’s water issues and related concerns of international development. The Week attracts over 2,500 participants and 200 collaborating organizations from all over the world. Leaders and experts from the world’s scientific, business, government and civic communities convene to exchange views, experiences and shape joint solutions to global water challenges.

The high-profile World Water Week, with its critical mass of stakeholder organizations and individuals in attendance, provides ONE DROP with an ideal opportunity to grow awareness for its holistic, integrated approach to water access. But beyond spreading the word on our unique methodologies and our success in such a short span of time—a mere five years—we will be presenting a list of objectives that, individually and collectively, will aid us in achieving our global goals in both the short and the long term. Functioning as an open and dynamic platform, the World Water Week enables ONE DROP to build capacity, form partnerships and review implementation, thereby furthering its mission.

To drink in style

Fri, 26 Jul 2013 18:18:00 GMT

Our friends at AQUAOVO and Sid Lee Collective have come together to create a new collection of vintage glass vessels in honor of four important rivers of the world. This collection includes four gorgeous bottles specifically designed to safely carry, store and serve your favorite beverages. For each bottle sold, $1 will be donated to ONE DROP in support of universal access to safe water.

http://www.aquaovo.com/en/bouteille/...

MGM RESORTS: SAVING WATER THROUGH INNOVATION

Tue, 07 May 2013 18:18:00 GMT

You recently joined ONE DROP USA as a member of the Board. What prompted you to join this organization?
Today one of the most fundamental problems on our globe is that billions of people do not have access to safe water and sanitation. This deepens the impacts of poverty by increasing exposure to preventable diseases and escalating mortality rates. Further, women and girls are not able to have the same educational and economic opportunities because their lives are often dedicated to securing water for their families. I consider it a privilege to be able to be involved with the ONE DROP organization and the projects its dedicated members are doing to improve the quality of life of those in the world who need it most.

As part of your responsibilities at MGM Resorts International, you have undertaken many successful initiatives with regard to usage of resources such as water. Can you tell us more about them?
In Las Vegas, we are incredibly mindful of the scarcity and precious nature of our resources, especially water. We are, after all, in a desert. MGM Resorts International approaches our consumption of water in two ways: through the application of innovative, water-saving technologies and the implementation of conservation procedures and practices within our operations.
In terms of water-saving technologies, we have centred on using state-of-the-art low-flow shower and sink fixtures in our resorts. We utilize these fixtures everywhere from our kitchens to our guest rooms. It may seem that the difference between a 2.5 gallon per minute shower-head and 2.0 gallon per minute shower-head is small, but spread over approximately 11 million annual room-nights, the savings is significant.

Our second approach focuses on best practices within our operations. Think of all the employees you interact with when staying at a resort—from the guest room attendants and horticulturists to the restaurant servers and bartenders. We work on examining all of the daily operations within their respective areas and identifying practices for saving water in a way that does not detract from the superior levels of service our guests expect from a company like MGM Resorts International.

What’s next for MGM Resorts International?
We started our green program at MGM Resorts by laying out a strategic plan and framework for making our properties more sustainable. This strategic plan was executed through various focus areas and the implementation of best practices throughout our operations. Now that this framework is in place, where we are going next is to harness the power of our 62,000 employees to accelerate our efforts to protect the environment. Over the next twelve months, we will be launching an innovative employee communication program that is focused on inspiring our employees to find ways to be greener at home and in their jobs.

Why was it important for MGM Resorts International to be part of One Night for ONE DROP?
Simply said, what better platform could there be for spreading the word about the importance of water than combining the genius of Cirque du Soleil with one of the most renowned venues, the “O” Theatre at Bellagio. MGM Resorts is proud to support the efforts of ONE DROP by hosting this important event, as well as through the contributions it makes throughout the year. We believe that these dollars are directed toward programs that can literally be the vital difference in a person’s life.

ONE DROP CELEBRATES WWD BY RAISING $5.3 MILLION

Tue, 07 May 2013 18:18:00 GMT

ONE DROP and Cirque du Soleil adopted an innovative approach to celebrate World Water Day (WWD). The One Night for ONE DROP benefit concert, conceived by Cirque du Soleil and which recognizes the Earth as an artistic creation and highlights the importance of water to its precious ecosystem, was presented for one night only in Las Vegas, in the “O” theatre at the Bellagio.

From March 25 to 31, ONE DROP gave the public the opportunity to witness this moving homage to water. Through a $5 donation, many of you were able to actively support our mission of ensuring that water is accessible to all, today and forever, by watching ONE NIGHT for ONE DROP.

As the mastermind behind One Week for ONE DROP, Cirque also chose to mark WWD with several fundraising events held between March 18 and 22.

We are proud to announce that all these wonderful initiatives combined have raised $5.3 million to fund ONE DROP initiatives worldwide.

The ONE DROP team would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to all those who contributed from near and far to the resounding success of the 2013 WWD celebrations.