Water For People Increases Impact, Revenues in 2007

February 5, 2008
By John Kayser

(Denver, CO)—February 5, 2008—Water For People had a record year in 2007, significantly increasing its impact in the developing world. The international development organization supported 188 communities, directly benefiting more than 108,000 people with access to safe water and improved sanitation. Thousands more received hygiene education that will ensure improved health for years to come.

Year-end beneficiary reports from each of Water For People’s seven active country programs showed dramatic growth in the number of people and communities served over the course of the year. The organization is on target to meet the ambitious goals set forth in its five-year strategic plan (2007-2011) to reach 1,000 new people per day by 2011.

According to Ned Breslin, Director of International Programs at Water For People, much of the growth can be attributed to a strategic regional focus recently adopted in each program country. “Water For People is targeting county-sized regional areas in each country with the goal of 100 percent water and sanitation coverage within each region,” he says. “As a result, we have become much more efficient and have been able to dramatically increase our impact.”

In 2007, Water For People announced plans to expand into five new countries by 2011, including Ecuador, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, Rwanda, and Uganda. Programs were successfully launched in Ecuador and Nicaragua in 2007 and the organization will begin work in Rwanda and the Dominican Republic in 2008. Work in Uganda is scheduled to launch in 2009.

The growth in services was matched by an equally impressive increase in donor support in 2007. Water For People 2007 revenues (unaudited) exceeded $5.2 million against a budget of $5.1 million, representing more than a 20% increase over 2006. “We are so grateful for the trust and incredible support of our donors who share our vision of a world where no one suffers or dies from a preventable water-related disease,” said Colleen Stiles, CEO of Water For People. “Together, we are putting an end to the needless suffering and death that is devastating people in the communities where we are working. We are having a tremendous impact, and we’ve only just begun.”

About Water For People
Founded in 1991, Water For People is a nonprofit international development organization that supports safe drinking water and sanitation projects in developing countries. Water For People partners with communities and other nongovernmental organizations to help people improve their quality of life by supporting sustainable drinking water, sanitation and health and hygiene projects. Water For People supports projects with professional development advice, financial support and volunteer technical services. Typical projects include protected spring-fed community water systems, gravity-fed systems, wells with hand pumps, latrine construction, operator training, and hygiene education. Water For People is currently working in Latin America, Africa and Asia. In 2007, Water For People supported the provision of safe and sustainable drinking water resources and/or sanitation facilities benefiting more than 108,000 people in the developing world. More information is available at www.waterforpeople.org.