The Water for Humanity Fund works to provide water for those in need.
Americans use twice the worldwide average, about 150 gallons per day for domestic use (450 total, including agricultural and industrial), compared with 7.5 gallons per day for Africans on the other end of the spectrum. At least two-thirds of the world's population must haul their water from outside the home. In some cases, women must walk many miles and spend several hours each day hauling water on their heads, in containers that can weigh more than 40 pounds. It is estimated that the minimum amount of safe water required to keep one person healthy (for drinking, bathing, cooking and sanitation) is 5 gallons per day. But when water is hauled by such great effort over long distances, some people get by with as little as one and a half. This also is water not available to raise vegetables to improve nutrition, raise animals or undertake small business ventures. Women who invest large amounts of time for water hauling have less time for their families, and the children have no time for school. Without water for cash crops, husbands and fathers must go to the cities in search of work, adding more stress to the family and community.