Written by Shaz Memon
Scarcity of water affects around ten per cent of the world’s population and has a disproportionate impact on inhabitants of developing countries. Even in the year 2020, people are left facing the daunting and demanding task of travelling long distances to collect water for their families, which often is unclean and has the potential to cause life threatening illnesses.
The issues of water shortages have once more been laid bare by the coronavirus crisis. Villages in developing countries which do not have reliable access to water are unable to practice good hygiene in order to protect themselves and others and curb the rate of the virus’ spread. Furthermore, the need for water only leaves women and girls, tasked with collecting water, burdened with additional pressure.
Yet, there are ten inspiring water charity philanthropists who have been working to put an end to this issue and guarantee access to clean water for some of the world’s most vulnerable communities. Included among them are esteemed names such as Eleanor Allen, the CEO of the Water for People charity, and Seth Maxwell who founded and runs the Thirst Project. But taking pride of place among those named is Digimax and Digimax Dental founder and entrepreneur Shaz Memon, who set-up the Wells on Wheels programme.
Wells on Wheels is a charity with a unique spin that has sought to ease the burden on women and young girls in India who are tasked with collecting water, via practical means. Almost 163 million Indian people are deprived of access to clean water near their homes and are forced to travel extended distances in high temperatures, and Memon is on a mission to change the many million such lives for the better.
