The yellow jug in the charity:water logo is called a 'jerry can' , it is a symbol of the water crisis around the world. Although used as a symbol for us, it has a very practical use to others as it is a vessel that transports water for miles.
The jerry can is a 5 gallon container used for fuel but then recycled to be used for water. When the can is full, it typically weighs about 40 pounds. The woman or children of the house normally are the ones to fetch water each day. For a community lacking in a sufficient clean water source, this could mean walking up to 3 miles each way carrying a full jerry can. As a result of the long distance, a family is left to use about one container for all their needs.
This includes washing dishes, taking a bath, brushing your teeth, nourishment for your body, cooking...the list goes on. To put this in perspective, an average American uses 150 gallons of water a day, which would be 30 jerry cans of water - 1,200 pounds for one person.
Clean and accessible water allows children to go to school, improves health and sanitation, and improves a household income. We are working to make this a reality for 600 people. 600 people could have their life tremendously improved just from water.
