Did you know that 1 in 3 people around the world lack enough water to meet their daily needs? More than 800 million people rely on an unclean drinking-water source, risking disease with every sip. But grassroots groups are protecting their rivers, lakes, and water sources.
Every April since 2007, Global Greengrants Fund and Aveda have partnered to help communities improve their access to clean, fresh water. Throughout Aveda Earth Month, Aveda donates 100 percent of the proceeds of limited-edition Light the Way candles to Global Greengrants so that we can support clean-water projects around the world.
Trees of Life in Ghana
- The women of Ahago wake up at 4am every day to fetch water. Some must trek several miles to get just a few gallons. But often that water is contaminated and unsafe to drink. Using funds raised during Aveda Earth Month, our grantee Livelihood & Environment Ghana planted 2,000 trees along the banks of two local rivers. These trees fortify the banks of the rivers, minimizing erosion and improving the quality of water, so that women don’t have to walk as far to find clean water.
How Clean Water Is Changing Lives in India
- In the forested foothills of northern India, local Tilwari nonprofit Himalayan Jan Kalyan Evam Baal Vikas Samiti has used to implement clean-water projects that deliver clean water to the community’s 800 members. No longer do villagers have to walk three hours a day to gather water from the nearby mountains—they now use those valuable hours and energy to care for their children, go to school, maintain their households, and make products they can sell in the market.
An Excursion for Clean Water
- Kim Jessen Roberson, our Director of Philanthropy, traveled with Aveda stylists, salon owners, and spa therapists to the foothills of the Himalayas in India. Touched by the experience, Kim wrote on LivingAveda.com that she was blown away by how committed our Aveda partners are to clean water. “They truly go way above and beyond the scope of their day-to-day jobs to make Earth Month a success.”
Since 2007, Earth Month has raised $11 million for 1,500 grants in 84 countries. Learn how $12 can change lives.