Charity
The Water Dispenser & Hydration Association is proud to support Just a Drop in our joint objective to provide clean safe water.
In 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic has brought its own challenges. Just a Drop has launched WASH training, giving communities a fuller understanding of the importance of hygiene and handwashing – the first line of defence against the virus. https://www.justadrop.org/appeal/coronavirus
Why is WHA supporting Just a Drop?
In the current pandemic it is sometimes easy to forget that there other problems in the world too. The WHA is a promoter of clean safe water around the world and now more than ever, it is important not to forget the importance of clean water for the vulnerable in our world.
WHA Members have generously chosen to raise funds towards water development charity, Just a Drop. So far, five borehole projects have been funded in Zambia that are making a huge impact on the lives of community members.
Click on the expandable boxes below to find out more information about what we have achieved, how we can achieve more and the benefits.
Overall, this fundraising. has raised over £70,000, and has benefited over 1000 people; totally transforming the lives of communities who now have year-round access to clean and safe water, thanks to the boreholes and pumps installed. In addition, the supply of clean, safe water can enable irrigation and farming, production of crops for both food and commerce which raises the standard of living.
In 2021, the Association will be funding another borehole - changing the lives in a sixth community.
The WHA’s target in 2020/21 is to raise £10,302 to help a community which exists in a state of real poverty as there are no local health services and no access to safe water.
Often in Zambia, women and girls, in particular, are forced to walk for miles to collect water, and often this water is dirty and makes them ill. With the support of WHA and its Members, the borehole will provide them with water all year around which is easy to access and safe to drink and cook with.
The charity is called ‘Just a Drop’ because that really is all it takes to make a difference to those at risk of disease and death from unsafe water.
The charity welcomes whatever you can afford, no matter how large or small. Whether it is a one-off amount or a regular monthly contribution, you can help to save lives and improve health and well-being.
If you are a UK tax-payer, please use Gift Aid. This means that for every £1 you donate, the charity will receive an extra 25p from the Government.
https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/WHAaresupportingjustadrop
Just a Drop are more than happy to help Members organise their very own event or challenge, or participate in one of their many initiatives.
Prudential Ride
Are you looking for a personal challenge or want to enter into an event as a team with friends or colleagues?
Just a Drop is delighted to have places in the Prudential Ride London/Surrey 2021 event. You could either set yourself a personal challenge in an iconic event, or get together with friends, colleagues or family and sign up as a team.
Starting at Queen Elizabeth Park, you will pass Canary Wharf, cycle past London Landmarks, cross the Thames, and face the challenge of the zigzags of Boxhill! The route will then take you back into London, with a spectacular finish at The Mall. All roads will be closed for the duration of the event.
Contact alice.mellar@justadrop.org if you would like to discuss your interest in this event further.
3 Peaks Challenge
- Take on the 3 highest mountains in the UK
- Be one of the first hikers of the day to take on Ben Nevis
- Tackle Scafell Pike at night
- Finish your challenge on Wales's infamous peak, Snowdon
- Aim to summit all three peaks in 24hrs!
Ben Nevis
Brace yourself for a fast-paced and physically challenging adventure, as you take on the three highest peaks in England, Scotland and Wales. Considered one of Britain’s toughest outdoor challenges, the National 3 Peaks Challenge takes in the dizzy heights of Ben Nevis (1,344m), Scafell Pike (978m) and Snowdon (1,085m).
Over the course of two days, you will trek around 26 miles and ascend to a total height of almost 3,000m. This is a serious and tough challenge which requires a good level of fitness, as well as plenty of grit and determination. Ultimately, however, your hard work will be rewarded with spectacular views and a huge sense of achievement.
Your support will go towards ensuring that communities across the world can access safe, clean water. If you are interested in taking part in the 3 peaks challenge, please contact Alice Mellar, Partnerships and Events Manager at Just a Drop on alice.mellar@justadrop.org
London Marathon
Take part in the world famous Virgin Money London Marathon 2021
The Virgin Money London Marathon is the most famous marathon course in the world. Join 37,000 runners on the 26 mile course past iconic London landmarks. The event is a truly unique experience, the atmosphere, the support of the spectators along the course... it's a memory that will stay with you for life.
Just a Drop are delighted to have an available space for you to fundraise towards bringing safe sustainable water and sanitation to communities worldwide. The successful applicant must pledge to raise a minimum of £1750 for Just a Drop.
Whether you are an experienced marathon runner, or this is your first attempt, there are a variety of training plans available to suit all levels of runner. All runners must be at least 18 years of age on the date of the marathon.
If you choose to run for Just a Drop you will be provided with a running vest, training plans and fundraising advice.
Your support will go towards ensuring that communities across the world can access safe, clean water. If you are interested in taking part in the 3 peaks challenge, please contact Alice Mellar, Partnerships and Events Manager at Just a Drop on alice.mellar@justadrop.org
Zambezi Challenge
In 2022 the WHA are going to take on their biggest challenge yet – paddling down the Zambezi River to raise funds for water charity, Just a Drop. This is a unique and exhilarating challenge that will take you through 100kms of the river as you will paddle your way along the border with Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, steadily heading towards the Falls. Ultimately, the climax comes with the daunting prospect of rafting below the Falls in the notorious Batoka Gorge, the most tempestuous white water rapids in the world.
After the challenge, Members will see their impact first hand as they will be taken to see the boreholes that have been supported by WHA over the last few years.
To do this event, we would need a minimum of 10 people to take part so please let us know if you’d be interested in taking part!
The overall impact on everyday life is significant:
- An improvement in health across the community, as the incidence of water-related illnesses decreases with sustainable access to safe water
- Increased hygiene and sanitation improves living conditions, health and quality of life overall
- Children are able to attend school more regularly, as they are less ill and spend less time fetching water
- Women in particular benefit as they no longer have to spend so long carrying heavy water, enabling them to pursue more beneficial activities such as income generation, which will reduce dependency and poverty
- Increased dignity across the community, especially for the most vulnerable members
Members of the community are taught about how to maintain and repair the borehole and hand-pump, and are trained in topics such as:
- How water sources become contaminated from point source to consumption
- Variety of ways to prevent contamination
- Practice water disinfection
- Personal and environmental hygiene
- Preparation of tip tap
- Building of a pit-latrine
A group around the borehole in Kalungwishi
Since 2016 five communities in Zambia, have benefited from the work of Just a Drop with funds raised by the Association (BWCA and now WHA).
Water for all the villages was from unprotected hand-dug wells or river-beds often some distance from their homes. The water was not safe and this had a massive impact on their lives.
With the help of UK water dispenser industry funding, Just a Drop has drilled boreholes in these deserving villages and equipped each with a hand pump, enabling the communities to reach clean and safe water.
To ensure that water will be available into the future, community-elected women and men have been trained and equipped to work together to repair and manage the water systems and in addition the charity has provided hygiene education to help ensure people stay healthy.
Villages in Zambia, in the same geographical area, receiving boreholes so far are:
Kalungwishi (2016)
Shibangwa (2017)
Chibukisho, (2018)
Kutemwa (2018)
Mukosa (2019)
Map showing villages
A group around the borehole in Kalungwishi
Funds raised have had a life-changing affect on many lives. Here are some examples:
Mary Kafukanya, 56 year old farmer with six children and a resident of Kalungwishi. She explained how difficult life was without clean water accessible nearby and how she and her children spent valuable farming time fetching water from a well where cattle and other animals would drink. Mary is now relieved that the health of her family is not compromised and without hesitation thanked the borehole project funders for the good deed of allocating funds. Mary says: “Thanks To Just A Drop, I have a healthier family”.
Rachel Mulabika is just 10 years old and lives in the community of Chibukisho. She attends her local school but as she is the first born in the family, the burden lies on her to collect water early each morning from a source that is around 2km from her home. Often when she arrives at the source, she must wait in a queue to collect water which can sometimes take many hours.
Because of this, Rachel quite often misses school altogether. When she is able to attend school, she is late and misses her lessons. Even the lessons that she takes part in, she is too tired to concentrate and can sleep through. The walk for water each day was having a huge impact on her education.
However, now things are very different for Rachel.Thanks to WHA, Rachel can collect safe, clean water from a borehole in her community, meaning that she does not have to travel far or get up early to support her family. She says, “I’m very happy that the community has a borehole, I am now punctual to school and never miss my classes.”
Sangelenge Thompson is a member of Kutemwa community and he recently got divorced, meaning that all of the household chores are now his responsibility.
Before now, Thompson says that accessing clean and safe water in Kutemwa has been a real challenge. The nearby river was once poisoned in an attempt to catch fish, but this has a huge impact on the community and meant that they were forced to drink the same water, giving them stomach problems and illnesses.
Thanks to TWHA this is no longer an issue for Thompson and his community. Just a Drop worked closely with the people of Kutemwa to install a borehole that was easily accessible to their village.
Thompson says, “Now, other than the shortened distance to water source, the borehole has brought many more benefits such as improving the cleanness in my house, and has redeemed me from the diarrheal problems I used to experience.”
Show your support by helping ‘Just a Drop’ today.
The charity is called 'Just a Drop' because that really is all it takes to make a difference to those at risk of disease and death from unsafe water. The charity welcomes whatever you can afford, no matter how large or small. Whether it is a one-off amount or a regular monthly contribution, you can help to save lives and improve health and well-being. If you are a UK tax-payer, please use Gift Aid. This means that for every £1 you donate, the charity will receive an extra 25p from the Government.