#DuqPureThirst Okakola, Tanzania Project

What is Pure Thirst?

Duquesne University's Pure Thirst organization, founded in 2010 by current student Matthew Burnett, empowers and assists communities that are effected by the world's water crisis. 748 million people worldwide lack access to improved water services, with one child dying every 20 seconds to a water borne illness.

Grounded in Spiritan tradition and under the guidance of Duquesne University's Center for Community Engaged Teaching and Research, Division of Mission and Identity and the Rotary Clubs in Districts 7300 and 7280, we work with faculty coaches to select a community in need, and then travel to that region of world to implement new water services and educate the community about the benefits of clean water.

Who have we already helped?

We successfully installed water systems for and educated the people of El Jaral, Honduras in 2011 and Los Planes, Honduras in 2014.

What is our project?

In 2016 -- with your support of this project -- we will travel to the community of Okakola in Tanzania and work with them to eliminate their water crisis.

We selected Okakola after some of our student leaders spent five weeks in the Arusha region of Tanzania in 2015 with local Spiritans and met with five communities to determine the ways we could best collaborate with people and address their water needs.

How will donations be used?

In addition to providing us with a once-in-a-lifetime learning experience, your generous gift with help us journey to Okakola and:

• revitalize their dilapidated water piping system that is meant to deliver water to the school and surrounding community
• install latrines (currently there are eight to service roughly 250 students)
• implement a defluoridation system that will reduce the concentration of fluoride in their water to make it safe for human consumption

Extra Incentive: Your donation will help unlock the $2,000 matching challenge!

If we meet our $4,000 goal, Rotary International has agreed to match 50 cents on every dollar raised!

What if I already donated?

Please help us spread the word! Use the convenient "Share" buttons on this page to spread the word among your friends and family via social media. We also ask you to use the hashtag #DuqPureThirst when promoting our project. Taking a moment to send out a simple Facebook update or Twitter tweet can make the difference between our campaign being a success or not.

Learn more and stay connected.

Questions? Contact info@purethirst.org. Stay connected by following us on Facebook and Twitter.

From all of us at Duquesne University and Pure Thirst - thank you for your consideration and support!