What We Do
Water For People (WFP) is an international non-profit working across 9 countries in South America, Africa, and Asia to bring safe water and sanitation.
WFP empowers local governments, community members, and service providers to invest in the long-term solutions and systems that are right for them. This means listening to them and establishing trust from the very beginning. We want every community, household, school, and clinic to have lasting access to safe water and sanitation for generations to come – we call this impact model Everyone Forever. Forever means empowering communities and governments to operate and maintain their own systems so Water For People doesn't have to be around forever, but water and sanitation services will be. Year after year, Water For People has achieved a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator.
The OWWA – Water For People Committee works to increase the awareness of the project work and to raise funds for these projects. 100% of funds donated through OWWA Water For People Committee Activities are passed on to Water For People Canada. Committee Operations are funded by the OWWA.
Water and Health
- Most frequent diseases related to poor water supply and sanitation includes diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid. Lack of sanitation is the world’s biggest cause of infection
- 3.4 million deaths occur each year from water-related diseases
- 2.2 billion people lack access to clean water
- 4.2 billion—1 in every 2 people on the planet doesn't have a decent toilet
Water as a Catalyst for Change
WFP uses water as the catalyst for change and improved health in developing countries. WFP collaborate with local partner organizations, empowering a community to take ownership and develop independence by having a local water board and health promoter. WFP projects ESTABLISH low cost water and sanitation services close to home:
- Community hand pumps
- Water storage tanks
- Hand washing stations
- Gravity fed water systems
- Household latrines
WFP projects PROMOTE health education to maximize the benefits from a new water system
Our Activities
The OWWA Water For People Committee is happy to share that we were able to donate over $4,000 to Water For People in 2023. We couldn’t have achieved this without the support from our event volunteers, participants, and the generosity of our sponsors and donors. A big thank you to everyone!!
Water For People Committee Events
Ski/Snowboard Day
Our Annual Ski/Snowboard Day held at Devil's Glen, a private resort in Glen Huron, is always a big hit and fantastic way to kick off the fundraising year. The 2024 Ski/Snowboard Day was a record year with 63 attendees. Contributions from participants and Sponsors FER-PAL enabled us to raise over $2000 for Water For People Canada.
Ontario’s Water Conference and Tradeshow
At Ontario’s Water Conference & Tradeshow, the committee raises money through the sale of WFP heart stickers and through a Silent Auction. In addition to these committee activities, there are other events during the conference that result in donations. In 2024, we returned with heart sticker sales and the Silent Auction; in addition, the No Water... No Hockey Gme donated proceeds to Water For People Canada. C3 Water has hosted a number of darts tournaments and donated proceeds to the committee; 2022 marked their seventh anniversary of holding this event. For many years, the Ontario Manufacturers and Associates Council has donated the proceeds from their Golf Tournament. The 2024 OWWA golf tounament is coming up in July. Stay tuned to the events page for more details!
Kenneth J. Miller Founders’ Award
Every year, Water For People recognizes outstanding committee volunteers with an award that honours one of their founders, Ken Miller. Recipients receive an official pin from their committee and are recognized during a formal luncheon hosted during ACE. Past recipients from the OWWA WFP are listed below.
2023 - Cynthia Doughty
2019- Mike Matesic
2018- Garry Boychuk
2017- Carolyn de Groot
2016- Gary Craig
2015- Deb Goudreau
Social Media
Follow us on Twitter! @OWWA_WFPCanada
Follow us on Linkedin! https://ca.linkedin.com/company/water-for-people-canada
Our Members
| Member | Company |
|---|---|
| Saloni Singh (Current Committee Chair) | Atkins Realis |
| Michelle Scott (Current Committee Vice Chair) | CIMA+ |
| Ed Bertolo | Evans Supply |
| Jamie Boutilier | CIMA+ |
| Garry Boychuk | Toronto Water |
| Ed Broeders | H2Flow |
| Allan Choi | R.V. Anderson |
| Deb Goudreau | City of Hamilton |
| Sammy Hiseler | CIMA+ |
| Mike Matesic | Pretrear Water Inc |
| Javed Mukri | Xylem |
| Maika Pellegrino | Jacobs |
| Negin Salamati | HDR |
| Hannah Groenewegen | University of Toronto |
| Sonya Semanuik | OCWA |
| Merissa Beedham | OWWA |