Everyone deserves clean water. That’s why Sawyer donates over 90% of its profits to clean water projects around the world, and established The Sawyer Foundation to support charities in providing community solutions for clean water. 

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There are 2.2 billion people around the world who don’t have access to clean water. Here are some of their stories, and how their lives have changed for the better. 

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The Landaverde Family - El Penalon, El Salvador

Charity Partner - One ATTA Time

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Meet Armando and Lorena, two dedicated parents in El Pinalon, who now have access to clean water thanks to donated filters from One ATTA Time. For Armando and Lorena, the filter brings convenience, sparing them the time-consuming task of purifying water. They also celebrate that her children are no longer sick from parasites. 

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“The filter has brought us peace and health, so our children can grow up safely, even in a place where water access is hard to come by." – Armando Mancía

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Edah- The Bucket Ministry, Kibera, Kenya

Charity Partner - The Bucket Ministry

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Edah, a grandmother of three, got her bucket while suffering from water borne infections. After receiving her bucket filtration system from The Bucket Ministry, Edah’s family is healthy and they can leave the diseases in the past.

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Ket - Sekong Province, Laos

Charity Partner - One ATTA Time

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Meet Ket. She and her family of seven, including her youngest child who is only four, live in remote Laos and depend on stream water for their daily needs. Frequent illnesses and medicine expenses put a strain on the family, but thanks to the Sawyer water filter provided by Giving It Back To Kids and One ATTA Time, they now enjoy clean water and renewed hope for a better future. 

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"Seeing clean water flow from the filter felt like a miracle. Now, instead of spending on medicine, we can invest in our children's education and health." – Ket

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Mercy - The Bucket Ministry, Athi River, Kenya

Charity Partner - The Bucket Ministry

Thanks to the efforts of The Bucket Ministry in the Athi River community, Mercy no longer has to purchase medicine to treat her family’s symptoms of waterborne illnesses.

“No more skin rash and stomach aches in this house.”

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What inspired you to click on this article? Here’s what one of our longstanding recurring donors has to say about why he chooses to support The Sawyer Foundation.

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 “The work of the Sawyer Foundation has touched my heart and supporting it has filled my soul.   I am reminded of the work of the Sawyer Foundation every time I get a glass of water and the impact it is having across the globe each and every day and feel honored to support their sacred work.” - Chip, Washington

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It takes more than just one individual or team to make a difference. It takes a community. These are a few of our nonprofit partners who have mobilized with a mission and empowered others along the way. 

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Veterans Without Orders

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Area(s) of Impact - Uganda, Honduras, Guatemala

Project Highlight - Hurricane Helene Relief, October 2024

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“Our veteran-led team is integrating with local community members and partnering with organizations like Water by Women to respond to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene by bringing clean water to those in need.”

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“Thanks to a generous donation from the Sawyer Foundation, we picked up 1,000 2-gallon gravity system water filters donated to Water by Women, flown in by private plane. These filters not only provide critical access to safe water but also greatly reduce plastic waste in communities already overwhelmed with debris and destruction.” via Veterans Without Orders on Instagram.

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RipplAffect, Ohio 

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Area(s) of Impact - Ghana, Kenya, Pakistan

Project Highlight - The Philippines, Sep-Dec 2024

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“These filters have not only improved the immediate health of these communities by reducing waterborne diseases but have also given them hope for a healthier, brighter future. We are deeply grateful for The Sawyer Foundation's support, which has made a profound and lasting difference in the lives of so many.”  - Narcisa Mikov, The RipplAffect

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Surfing Servants - California

Project Highlight - Kenya, El Salvador

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“We used the funds you gave us in Kenya, where we were able to deliver 100 bucket filters to the Masai tribes of Turkana.  We were also able to deliver 35 bucket and tap filters to El Salvador. Without the support of the Sawyer Foundation, we would not have been able to give these to those who need them.” - Matt Novak, President, Surfing Servants

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It takes more than one person to make a supportive, safe community. But these individuals from the Sawyer Squad sure do make a huge impact, so we’re giving them a shoutout, too. 

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Jennifer Pharr Davis - Asheville, NC

Project Highlight - Hurricane Helene Relief

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Among the destruction Hurricane Helene brought to the Southern Appalachians, many helpers emerged. Folks whose only relation to each other is membership on a local Facebook group organize supply drops and volunteer alongside both fine dining and amateur chefs alike, passionately dedicated to cooking for the entire neighborhood. 

Between the hiking community and being a born and raised Asheville local, Jennifer Pharr Davis leveraged her connections to make the biggest impact possible. 

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“We were able to send out 900 filters in batches of 50 or less to relief groups throughout Western North Carolina and in places like Hot Springs, Marshall, Burnsville, Banner Elk, Boone, Chimney Rock, Rosman, Sylva, Black Mountain, Swannanoa and so many other communities. We couldn’t have done it without our drivers, volunteers, SAR contacts, and local community. I am beyond grateful." - Jennifer Pharr Davis via her blog, October 2024.

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Sister Larraine - Water By Women

Project Highlight - Hurricane Helene Relief

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We’ve had the pleasure of working with Sister Larraine and her dedication to the clean water cause for over a decade. 

When Hurricane Helene hit the east coast, she didn’t hesitate and worked with a network of volunteer responders, pilots, and National Guard units to deliver filters to communities without safe drinking water. 

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“We’re on the ground distributing high-quality filters that give survivors access to safe, clean water as long as they need it, so they can rebuild with strength and dignity.” - Sr. Larraine via Water By Women e-newsletter, October 2024.

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Heather “Anish” Anderson

Project Highlight - Fundraising efforts on the Arizona Trail

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Earlier this year, Heather Anderson accompanied our charity partner Impact Nations to the slums of Katanga, Uganda to witness the impact clean water can have on the health of a community. Then, she undertook an unsupported speed record of the Arizona Trail raising funds and awareness for the stories she saw abroad.

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“The Arizona Trail is known for its sub-par water sources, but nothing compares to the sources I saw in Uganda. If you've enjoyed following my journey, please consider donating to the Sawyer Foundation to send filters to people in the world who desperately need them.” - Heather Anderson via Instagram, May 2024.

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Thank you for joining us for this very special feature, From Filters to Futures: 2024 in Review.