Waiākea Water to Increase Donations 5X for World Water Day

Normally, for every liter of water sold, Waiākea Water donates one week of water to Pump Aid, but these donations are being increased five times during the worldwide pandemic. Starting March 22 through the end of the month, Waiākea will split its donations (five times on every liter of water sold) between Pump Aid and Meals on Wheels. Meals and Wheels is an essential organization that delivers food to the elderly, and it is lacking funds due to the increased cost of delivering meals during the current COVID-19, or coronavirus, outbreak in the United States. Pump Aid, an international organization that operates in Malawi, aims to eradicate water poverty by the year of 2030.

According to Pump Aid, there have not been any outbreaks of COVID-19 in Malawi as of yet. However, it is only a question of when, and the situation is looking dire. The nation has extremely limited resources and access to medical care. Very few respirators are available in hospitals, so treatment would be limited. As a result, Pump Aid is working hard to develop a plan of action to help with the inevitable fallout.

In the meantime, Pump Aid is promoting its WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) programs and hygiene education. In 2019, the organization’s efforts enabled 6,760 children to gain access to toilets and hand washing. In addition, it provided 1.3 million nutritious meals, as well as access to safe water for 12,056 households.

“It’s impossible to say what the impact in Malawi will be in terms of numbers — other than that it will more than likely be significantly worse than US/Europe because of the lack of infrastructure and medical supplies, but also because clean water, sanitation, and good hygiene are still big challenges,” according to Waiākea. “These areas need our support now more than ever.”

Potential Outbreak in Malawi                                                                 

“Prevention is key,” according to Pump Aid. “It is fundamental to minimize the spread of the virus and stay healthy. Hand washing not only reduces the transmission of COVID-19 but also, of course, diarrhea, and pneumonia, which are the big worries in our community– not only for mortality but also just in the general sense of weakening the body and its ability to fight off COVID-19. Clean water for all is essential in these trying times.”

Since 2012, Waiākea Water has partnered with Pump Aid to bring access to clean water and sanitation to those in need in Malawi, Africa. Through the installation of UN-awarded Elephant Pumps, now over 50 million liters of clean, safe drinking water is available year after year in rural communities. Clean water is just the beginning. Waiākea has helped with the installation of toilets, handwashing stations, kitchen gardens, and hygiene and sanitation education for children and their families.

About Waiākea

Waiākea was founded in Hawai’i in 2012 as the first Hawaiian volcanic water and triple bottom line premium water of its kind, adapting an unparalleled platform of healthy, sustainable, and ethical attributes and initiatives. Waiākea’s mission is to sustainably provide naturally healthy Hawaiian volcanic water with the blessing of indigenous Kapuna and Konohiki, while contributing to, and promoting, clean water access, conservation, and education for those in need in Hawai’i and throughout the world. For every bottle you buy, you are supporting local Hawaiian community programs and non-profits focused on education, addiction, and environmental stewardship through Waiakea’s landmark program The Kokua Initiative. Additionally, Waiakea donates a one-week supply of clean water to people in need in Malawi for every liter sold through its clean water projects in partnership with Pump Aid, which have already positively transformed the lives of thousands since 2012.