On January 4-6, one week before the second anniversary of the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti, Water.org co-founders Matt Damon and Gary White joined Haiti Outreach’s President Jeffrey Brown to attend a well inauguration to see first-hand the impact of community engagement in creating water solutions in Haiti.
Damon, White and Brown also participated in discussions with other non-profit organizations, governmental departments, and companies that are committed to working together to find creative, new ways to tackle water, sanitation and hygiene issues in Haiti.
The inaugurated well built under the guidance of Haiti Outreach will bring fresh, safe water to 300 people – people who previously had to walk to rivers to collect dirty water for their daily use. The community’s celebration consisted of an opening prayer, stories about how the well came to be built, a public review of the community’s rules and regulations governing the well, as well as skits, music and dancing.
In 2010, Haiti Outreach and Water.org entered into an agreement to bring clean water to 18,000 people in the neighboring towns of Pignon and San Raphael by rehabilitating broken wells and drilling new ones.
“With their unique experience in community-managed water systems, Haiti Outreach is a very important partner for Water.org”, stated Gary White, CEO and co-founder of Water.org. “We look forward to a long and fruitful working relationship to bring safe water and adequate sanitation to the people of Haiti.”
“We value the confidence Water.org has in Haiti Outreach and we appreciate the visit by Matt, Gary, and the Water.org staff and supporters”, stated Jeffrey Brown President of Haiti Outreach. “Working together, we’re helping Haitians develop the skills to manage sustainable sources of safe, accessible water – a fundamental part of living healthier, longer, more prosperous lives”
Following the 2010 earthquake, Haiti Outreach marshaled their water-related resources to conduct humanitarian aid in the capital of Port-au-Prince and other damaged areas. They furnished clean water to thousands of homeless and tent city people for months, repaired the broken water and electrical systems of the General Hospital, created a water system for a Doctors Without Borders clinic, and located and repaired damaged wells in the rural earthquake areas.
About Haiti Outreach
Haiti Outreach is a 501(c)3 non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO) based in Minnetonka, Minnesota and Pignon, Haiti, that works with communities in Haiti on water, education and other projects that the people initiate, help build, and sustain. They are committed to the development of Haiti and not just relief. About 90 percent of the work of Haiti Outreach has been to create basic clean water systems, which they have done in the last 15 years for over 160,000 people. The organization employs 45 people in Haiti who are involved with the community development work and 4 in Minnesota. Learn more about Haiti Outreach and its work at www.HaitiOutreach.org.
About Water.org
Water.org is an innovator in delivering safe water and sanitation across the globe. Founded by Gary White and Matt Damon, Water.org’s focus is on pioneering solutions that can solve the water crisis. Together with local partners and over its 21-year history, Water.org has transformed thousands of communities in Africa, South Asia, and Central America by providing access to safe water and sanitation. Learn more, and join Water.org in ending the global water crisis at www.water.org.
