India is soon to overtake China as the most populous nation in the world with more than one billion people. India's population is more than three and a half times the size of that of the United States. However, India is only one-third of the physical size of the US. The population of India is incredibly diverse. Hindi is the national language, but there are 14 other official languages. India’s schools teach 58 languages and its national newspapers are published in 87 languages. The predominant religion is Hindu (81.3 percent), but 12 percent of the population is Muslim, and other religions such as Sikhism, Christianity, Buddhism, Jainism, and Zoroastrianism are also practiced. India's rich art reflects the country’s layered history and diverse religious ties and includes detailed painting, colorful masks, intricate sculpture, and lively dance. Poverty is a chief concern in India. Indeed, overall poverty in India has decreased in the last 50 years, but more than 25 percent of India’s population still lives on less than two dollars a day (That is about 100 rupees a day, a 1 liter bottle of mineral water costs about 15 rupees). Like much of the developing world, there is an ever-widening gap between the rich and the poor. India's middle class is emerging quickly, though. Health has also improved in India, however, 34 percent of India’s children under age five are malnourished, and maternal deaths account for nearly 25 percent of the world’s childbirth-related deaths.

India’s enormous and growing population is putting a severe strain on all of the country’s natural resources. The infrastructure is not in place in much of the country to supply clean drinking water to the bulk of the population. Most water sources are contaminated by sewage and agricultural runoff. Although India has made progress in the supply of safe water to its people, the inconsistency in access of reliable, clean water still largely exists across the country . The World Bank estimates that 23% of communicable diseases in India are related to unsafe water. Diarrhea alone causes more than 1,600 deaths daily—the same as if eight 200-person jumbo-jets crashed to the ground each day. Most of these daily deaths are children under 5 years old. Hygiene practices also continue to be a challenge in India. Actual latrine (toilet) usage is extremely poor in rural areas of the country; only an estimated 14% of the rural population has access to a latrine. Hand washing is also very low, increasing the spread of disease. In order to decrease the amount of disease spread, drinking-water, latrine usage and sanitation and hygiene must all be improved simultaneously and collectively. Why has Global Clean Water in Started in India?

We love the country of India: the people, the culture, the rituals, the food, the history, the traditions. We have long been drawn to and studied her rich contributions to the areas of science, medicine, music, art, theatre, cinema, literature, poetry and textiles, to name only a few. India, despite all her poverty, is a gift that just keeps on giving. She rewards us with a deep emotional bond to all of humanity. Simply put, India gives us the gift of connection. In India, we realize that we are part of something so big, so powerful. The heartbeat, the pulse of India, is in its people. One can feel the push of the whole of humanity, the will to survive and overcome all odds. Bonds take time in India. Relationships are built over time and trust is formed through repeated meetings and heartfelt conversations. The words “rush”, “hurry” or “quickly” does not apply to relationships in India. Over many glasses of chai (chai means tea in Hindi), one is slowly invited to become part of the Indian heart and soul, the extended family. We are proud to be making a stand for the great people of India.

In India, diarrhea alone causes more than 1,600 deaths daily—the same as if eight 200-person jumbo-jets crashed to the ground each day. Most of these daily deaths are children under 5 years old.”
This is real. This is not a number on a page. These are real people, real children, dying every day. When we read this statistic, we were moved to act. First, we couldn't believe this statistic was real. Then, we actually wrapped our heads around this alarming number of child deaths EVERY DAY. In this great country of over 1 billion people that we love so much, how could we sit back and DO NOTHING? These numbers are so staggering, and the reality so impacting, that we were forced us to ask ourselves:
“How can we make a measurable difference around the issue of clean water and the large number of daily child deaths in India and elsewhere?”

Healthy, educated children the world over are the hope and promise for a nation's tomorrow. How can we stop the daily deaths of children due directly to dirty water and a lack of access to hygiene and sanitation? We know the answer: Together, we can create a global water ethic and raise awareness of the issue. Together, we can contribute our time, knowledge and resources (whatever they may be) to eradicating this crisis. For our part, we have decided to commit our lives to the global issue of dirty water. Hence the name “Global Clean Water”. Reading statistics like these that effect so many developing nations, we decided to start Global Clean Water in a place that is so dear to our hearts.

The problem in India is straightforward: the need for access to clean water, adequate sanitation and hygiene for all people. The method: to empower the citizens of the globe to make a difference in the lives of the people in India. Even a small donation of time or money can change the lives of families. One person CAN change another person's life forever. You are that person. We invite you to be part of something tangible, something huge, something amazing. Clean water strengthens families and communities. Be part of what we have created. Be part of what we have dedicated our lives to. We have only begun in India, but this message applies to any nation on the globe that does not have permanent access to clean water and adequate sanitation and hygiene. Let's make this problem a thing of the past in our lifetimes, so that our children, and our children's children, all inherit a world where the issue of clean water is a non-issue!
Just do the math if you think that you cannot make a difference. If we can stop the daily 1,600 child deaths in India, that is 584,000 children that get to live and have a chance at a life in one year alone because YOU did something. Our goal is to raise 10 million dollars to give directly to the people of India in the form of clean water solutions and access to adequate sanitation and hygiene, along with sanitation and hygiene education. Welcome to the Global Clean Water Family!!