The Clean Water Project

Introduction:  In America, clean water is easily accessible; it is in all of our homes, bathrooms, stores, restaurants, and in fact it is everywhere we go. Having this accessibility in America has been a norm for all since the beginning of time. This norm has influenced our “entitled” behavior. Have you ever poured a half full glass of water down the sink because you were no longer thirsty? Have you ever taken a thirty minute shower because you felt the need to? Yes, we all have. Although we have the resources to do so, other countries do not. Some countries lack water at its entirety, while others do have, however, requires extensive measures to obtain it. As a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc., it is important that we remember our ancestry and our civil duty to be “our brother’s keeper”. The Clean Water Project will be the Heavenly Billion Dollar Zeta Lambda Chapter’s first significant philanthropy. We shall build a Water Well in Ghana, Africa for a village of need. This vision shall be implemented not only on behalf of our fraternity’s African history, but also for our brother Jesse Richeeds whom passed away from an asthma attack on the campus of the University of Connecticut.

Background: Our roots, the mother land of Africa has continuously suffered from a severe water crisis for ages. Illness from drinking dirty water and the time lost fetching it robs entire communities of their futures. Hope is put on hold in over half of the developing world's primary schools without access to water and sanitation.


Facts:

1.         783 million people do not have access to clean and safe water. 37% of those people live in Sub-Saharan Africa.

2.         1 in 9 people world-wide do not have access to safe and clean drinking water.

In developing countries, as much as 80% of illnesses are linked to poor water and sanitation conditions
4.         By investing in clean water alone, young children around the world can gain more than 413 million days of health!

5.         Over half of the developing world's primary schools don't have access to water and sanitation facilities. Without toilets, girls often drop out at puberty.


Vision/ Mission Statement:

1.         Build a water well in Ghana, Africa

2.         Provide a Water Well Ribbon Cutting Ceremony upon its completion

3.         Send at minimum of three chapter brothers to Ghana, Africa for Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

4.         Donate “I am My Brother’s Keeper” t-shirts from Nationals to those in Ghana, Africa

5.         One chapter brother will be responsible for taking high quality photos of the event

 
Target Audience:

1.         Residents of Ghana, Africa will be beneficiaries

2.         General Public are welcome to:

a.          Donate

b.         Attend Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

c.          Fundraise

3.         Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Nationals:

a.          Donate money and “I am My Brother’s Keeper” t-shirts

b.         Attend Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

c.          Fundraise


Timeline/ Deadlines:

1.         December 1st, 2015: Raise $2000.00 for the Water Well

2.         February 1st, 2016: Raise minimum of $6000.00 for chapter brother’s expenses for Africa

 
Budget:

1.         $2000.00: Water Well Building with CBN

2.         $1000-$1500.00: Round trip Ticket for 1 person x 3

3.  $1000-2000: Eating & Living expenses for a week

4.     Total:  $8500.00


Conclusion: All in all, clean water is a necessity. Many villages of Africa are not as fortunate and privileged as the average American. It is our civil duty to assist a village by providing them with safe and sanitary water for drinking and washing. The first step to saving many lives and investing into a village’s future is the Heavenly Zeta Lambda Chapter’s 1st global Clean Water Project.