Photograph by Layton Thompson, taken in Malawi

Water is essential for life, yet nearly 900 million people in the world do not have access to safe water - roughly one sixth of the world’s population.

Many women and children in rural areas in developing countries spend hours each day walking miles to collect water from unprotected sources such as open wells, muddy dugouts or streams. In urban areas, they collect it from polluted waterways or pay high prices to buy it from vendors who obtain it from dubious sources. Transporting water is a time-consuming, exhaustive task that prevents women from doing vital domestic activities or income generating work and stops children from going to school. The water is often dirty and unsafe, leading to disease such as cholera, typhoid and dysentery.

S'well donates 10% of sales to support WaterAid's programs improving access to safe water, hygiene and sanitation in the world’s poorest communities. Every S'well bottle sold provides almost a year supply of water for someone in need, and every five bottles sold provides a lifetime supply.

WaterAid and its partners use practical, sustainable solutions to provide safe water, effective sanitation and hygiene education to the world’s poorest people. WaterAid also works locally and internationally to change policy and practice and ensure water, hygiene and sanitation’s vital role in reducing poverty is recognized.

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