At least 13 million people in the Philippines lack access to improved water sources, and every year, over 520’000 people suffer from diseases attributable to water pollution
Exposure to water pollution, and poor sanitation conditions and hygiene practices account for one-sixth of reported disease cases, totaling 3.2 million, and 6’000 premature deaths per year
41% of Filipinos live on less than USD 2 per day, indicating the need for (a) affordable sources of clean water, and (b) sustainable livelihoods
Solution
Waterhope is a social enterprise that creates a centralized water purification and distribution hub within a community, where water is purified and then sold by community micro-entrepreneurs at half the price of commercial water purification stores
Waterhope not only provides access to clean water, but also creates opportunities for additional income for enterprising community members, as well as a community hub to empower and educate people
Impact depth
By the time LGTVP closed its engagement with Waterhope, the company had achieved the following impact:
In 2010 Waterhope had built two water stations in poor districts in Metro Manila, capable of servicing all the residents from these communities (~150’000)
At least 25 community members had become micro-entrepreneurs, earning as much as USD 70 additionally, per month
Waterhope aimed to establish six additional water stations in the Philippines, as well as four in other Asian countries
