charity: water raises $2M for World Vision water projects in Malawi

-Funds were raised in one night at the annual charity: ball in New York.

-World Vision now reaches a new person with clean drinking water every 30 seconds.

NEW YORK, Dec. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Monday night, donors pledged nearly $2 million for World Vision water projects in Malawi. The funds were raised at the charity: ball – charity: water's annual signature event – in New York City.

The funds will enable World Vision to provide 187 wells, bringing clean water to more than 52,000 people in some of the toughest places to reach in rural Malawi.

World Vision is one of charity: water's largest implementing partners in Malawi and the largest nongovernmental provider of clean water in the developing world – reaching one new person with clean water every 30 seconds.

The efforts of one man in Malawi helped make it possible for World Vision and charity: water to bring clean water to an area in desperate need.

World Vision was drilling boreholes in a community in Malawi when they were observed by an elder in another village, which was separated by a canyon.

The elder facilitated the construction of a bridge to unite the two areas and enable the passage of a drill rig. The bridge, and the funds raised at the charity: ball, will enable the drilling of wells in five communities in Malawi.

"Just as this elder acted as the bridge to unite these two areas, our hope is that World Vision and charity: water can be a bridge that gives the opportunity for every compassionate person in the world to play a direct role in helping to bring clean water to communities." World Vision US President Rich Stearns said. "Clean water transforms the lives of those who would otherwise have to hike to collect even dirty and disease infested water."

"Every person on this planet should have access to clean drinking water," said Scott Harrison, founder and CEO of charity: water. "I am grateful to our amazing supporters and to World Vision, who will join us in bringing clean water to thousands of people in Malawi.

The Caterpillar Foundation donated $1 million to World Vision's projects at the charity: ball -- $1,000 for each of the 1,000 people who participated in a "Waterwalk" at the event. The additional funds were raised during a live auction.

Through its "For Every Child" campaign, World Vision is investing $400 million over six years to address the global water crisis and reach 7.5 million people alone with safe water, sanitation and hygiene.

More than 1,600 children die each day from diarrhea caused by unsafe water, and more die from diseases caused by unsafe water than by HIV/AIDS and malaria combined.

In just the last two years, World Vision has quadrupled its capacity to provide clean water in the developing world. Water is one critical element of World Vision's comprehensive, holistic development program. 

About World Vision 
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. For more information, please visit www.WorldVision.org/press or @WorldVisionNews on Twitter.

About charity: water
charity: water is a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing countries. In seven years, charity: water has funded 10,000 water projects that will bring clean, safe drinking water to 3.5 million people in 20 countries. 100% of all public donations go directly to the field and we prove every project with GPS coordinates on Google Maps.

About the Caterpillar Foundation
Caterpillar Inc. supports the philanthropic efforts of the Caterpillar Foundation. Founded in 1952, the Caterpillar Foundation has contributed more than $550 million to help make sustainable progress possible around the world by providing program support in the areas of environmental sustainability, access to education and basic human needs. To learn more, please visit: www.caterpillar.com/Foundation.

SOURCE World Vision U.S.