Venture Description: Our Venture aims to turn the disease-ridden water on which countless African lives depend, into potable drinking water. Many filtration systems can purify this water; however, the cost and complexity of these methods make them impractical for use in Africa. To be useful, a filtration system would have to be inexpensive and available throughout Africa. Our solution addresses this reality by making filters from two things to which all Africans have access: homemade cloth and charcoal. The widespread use of this inexpensive and versatile method, therefore, can reduce the incidence of waterborne diseases with very little capital investment.

Venture Origin: Having been confronted by the fact that countless African lives hinge on the availability, or lack thereof, of potable water, I wanted to create a filter that would be pragmatic for use in developing nations. Charcoal is often used in filters and saris have been used as filters in India. By applying these ideas to rural Africa, I created a filter.

Innovation: What sets Simply Pure Water apart from other organizations is that we make use of what impoverished people can spare, thereby creating a sustainable method of water filtration that does not require expensive handouts. Because we recognize both the plight of the poor and offer a solution, rather than mere temporary relief, our venture empowers rural Africans to dig themselves out of poverty.

Impact

Impact: While the research supporting Simply Pure Water has been successful, the project’s major impacts are on the horizon. We have begun partnerships with two Ghanaian NGOs: Youth Concept International and the Abusua Foundation. In conjunction with these organizations, we have organized implementation efforts in two of the poorest Ghanaian provinces. Field work began in January and full scale implementation will begin in April, 2007.

Engagement with the community: Our venture has reached out to youth communities and NGOs throughout the world. We have just begun working with Youth Concept International and the Abusua Foundation in Ghana. To date, our work has consisted on organizational planning and fundraising efforts both in the field and in the U.S. Beginning in April, implementation will begin in the rural areas of the North and Central provinces.

Impact and engagement progress since launch: Since our venture launched, we have proven the filter’s validity and found financial and organizational support for the implementation process. In so doing, we have succeeded in raising awareness about the worldwide water crisis and have engaged other organizations and individuals, who would otherwise be removed from and ignorant of the crisis, in creating change.

Impact and engagement strategy: Our venture is designed to involve other communities, village groups, schools, etc. in educating people about the need for potable water and how to use our filter. Our goal is to prove the process and teach young people to help others use the method. As more people use the filter, they will become members of the project themselves and sustain it by their own self-motivated actions.

Awards: Youth Venture Grant Welles Award in 2004 and 2005

Budget

Amount of Youth Venture seed grant: $1,000

Money raised: To support our work in Ghana, Youth Concept and The Abusua Foundation have provided free expertise and accommodations. We have applied for additional funding from NetAid and various NGOs in Africa.

Creative ways of raising resources: In February we will begin creating a documentary on Ghana's water problems. This film will support fundraising efforts. We have begun organizing a dinner to which nonprofit leaders throughout the San Francisco area will be invited. At the dinner, we will discuss the project and accept donations.

Strategy

Expansion plan for next 6 months: We have completed organizational field work in Ghana and are creating a fundraising documentary. These efforts will end in March. In April and May, full scale implementation will be completed in rural Ghana. From there, the project will expand.

Plans for sustaining the project: Simply Pure Water doesn’t require continuous flows of income or materials- only education. Filters are free, inexpensive, and available to all. Once we educate people about the filter, therefore, nothing more must happen to sustain the project and the idea will spread via example and young people.

Vision for three years from now: Three years from now, many rural people will have adopted the method and integrated it into their everyday lives. The idea of using fabric and charcoal filters will continue to spread through the developing world via word of mouth and the youth we train. Other organizations will undertake the field implementation work. Our work will recede into becoming a coordinator and fundraiser.

Project impact: Our venture is in its beginning stages and thus, we have not had the opportunity to make a direct impact on water sanitation. This is not to say that our venture has had no impact. We have been successful in organizing and finding the necessary support for our initiatives in rural Africa. We have engaged Youth Concept, The Abusua Foundation, the Ghanaian Center for Rural Development and Empowerment, and A Rural Development Movement (ARUDMO) in combating the Ghanaian water crisis. We are constantly pursuing similar partnerships with other organizations throughout Africa. While these organizations helped young people prior to working with Simply Pure Water, by partnering with us, they now have another way not only to help youth, but to aid impoverished communities as a whole. Our in Ghana will begin in February. This work will “make life easier” for the first of the many communities we aim to help. In February we will be creating a documentary in conjunction with Youth Concept and Abusua. This documentary will not only help us fundraise, but it will help spread awareness about the water plight that continues to haunt rural Africans. We will fundraise throughout the month of March. In April, the pilot group will begin implementing the filtration method by teaching rural Ghanaians who are at risk of contracting waterborne diseases to use what they already have to protect their health. In short, we have been raising awareness about waterborne disease via our partnerships with NGOs. This has indirectly “made life easier” for those in need. Beginning on February 12, when our work commences in Ghana, however, our direct impact will “make life easier” for those that suffer.

Youth Venture movement - what it means and how you can contribute: Being a part of Youth Venture means having a community that believes in our power to create change. It means that our dreams are not simply written off as hollow and idealistic and that we, as young people, are not regarded as merely kids who are incapable of helping the world. It is inspiring and motivating to know that our efforts will not be overlooked simply because we are young. This is an inspiration that we hope to share with other young people through our involvement with Youth Venture. As we implement our water filtration program, we will involve young people in the process and base the expansion and continuation of our program on their efforts. As other philanthropic, non-governmental, and governmental organizations join the movement and support our efforts, the educational and work experiences of these young people will broaden. Thus, we will use the opportunity that Youth Venture gave us by their believing in our work to give fellow young people a chance to make a difference, become involved in their communities, and gain valuable experience. Through this, we will not only change lives, but we will empower other young people to do the same.

Author:
Jonathan
United States