Hi everyone - thanks for checking out my page.

My name is Katie Hites and I'm honored to be able to join the Community Water Solutions Team as a 2012 Fellow!  This December, CWS willl be traveling to Tamale, Ghana to implement water treatment systems within villages in desperate need of clean drinking water.

As a fouth-year environmental engineering student, I'm all too well versed in many of the issues we've labeled "crises" as a global community -- curbing air polution, for instance, and iradicating aids.  Several owe their permanence on the list through generations to the sheer complexity of thier solutions, raising problems such as the 'tragety of the commons', staggering monentary requirements and international dissension.  While the list is certainly lengthy and disheartening, one of these issues can absolutely be removed from it in our generation (if we work at it): access to clean drinking water.

 Did you know?

• 884 million people lack access to safe water supplies; approximately one in eight people
• 3.575 million people die each year from water-related diseases
• The water and sanitation crisis claims more lives through disease than any war claims through guns.

Children don't have a chance without the guarantee of this most precious resource -- and communities, no hope for advancement.  I'm convinced that the solution exists; and that it is relatively fast, cost effective, and both environmentally and economically sustainable.

Community Water Solutions is a not-for-profit organization (est. 2008) which partners with rural communities to develope technically sound water purification businesses, educate people regarding water treament and promote sustainability. The maintenance and operation of these water treatment businesses is funded by revenue from the sale of drinking water, but the capital necessary to establish them is provided by CWS.

And that's where you can help:

As a fellow, it is my responsibility to tackle a portion of the fundraising.  My goal is to raise $2,500 by January 17, 2012.  I can't express how much I would appreciate your help in this endeavor to cure thirst in Ghana -- in fact, such efforts would not be possible without the support of people like you.  Every donation makes a difference.

note: CWS is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Thank you for visiting my page!  If you have any questions about the project, feel free to contact me via e-mail at kathrynhites@gmail.com. 

God Bless,

Katie Hites