While Marnie and I were visiting her family for the holidays (just for a night due to the adverse weather), her Dad gave a $100 gift on behalf of all of us to WaterCan. At first, I couldn’t quite figure out what this WaterCan did, thinking it was a little overpriced if it was going to be picked up at Canadian Tire. Fortunately, I didn’t let my ignorance get the best of me and asked what it was about. Tony’s brief explanation advised me that it was a good group who’s goal was to provide those most deserving in Africa access to clean water.

Well, me being me, I figured I would up WaterCan online and found out that the organization is much more than that:

WaterCan is a leading Canadian charity dedicated to fighting global poverty by helping the world’s poorest people gain access to clean water, basic sanitation and hygiene education.

Since 1987, WaterCan’s programs have reached over one million children, women and men in the world’s poorest regions, breaking the cycle of poverty and disease and increasing opportunities for health, education, gender equality, and economic growth.

Working in partnership with indigenous organizations in eastern African, WaterCan supports small scale, community driven projects that:

* are long term, sustainable development initiatives
* use low-cost, locally appropriate technologies
* integrate water supply, sanitation and hygiene education activities
* emphasize community ownership of planning and management
* emphasize self-help and community participation
* benefit and involve women

WaterCan attaches great importance to making the Canadian public aware of worldwide water and sanitation issues. This effort helps to ensure that provision of clean water and sanitation services to the world’s poor remains an important priority for Canadians and other members of the international community.

Why do I bring this all up you ask? Well aside from the obvious desire to solicit some money for a great organization, Rebecca of Miss604 fame recently posted a contest where the winner will be given a $25 e-gift card to be used at CanadaHelps for a charity of their choice. So in the spirit of giving, I will provide $25 of my own and hopefully if I win the contest, get to top the donation up to a mean $50.