How Children's Play Can Save Lives
9/20/06

Lack of safe sanitation and clean drinking water are the largest causes of illness worldwide.

- 1.1 billion people worldwide lack access to clean drinking water

- Last year, more than 10 million children died from illnesses linked to unsafe water and lack of sanitation

- Water related illnesses kill 14,000 people each day

This morning, the First Lady, Laura Bush announced the "PlayPumps Alliance." The $16.4 million commitment between the U.S. government, the Case Foundation, and the MCJ Foundation goes toward a $60 million project to install 4,000 Play Pumps in sub-Saharan Africa and provide clean water to up to 10 million people by 2010.


In Mrs. Bush's words, PlayPumps harness children's boundless energy to alleviate poverty. The water system is "a children's merry-go-round attached to a water pump and storage tank. In addition to providing safe drinking water, the pioneering product uses advertising billboards located on the storage tank to deliver powerful educational messages to children and families. The advertising revenue helps ensure a decade of system maintenance."

Addressing the global health crisis is essential to alleviate global poverty. Each year, the world loses approximately $63 billion in global productivity from underdevelopment, death, and disease. For every dollar invested in children- including money to improve clean water access- $7.00 in the cost of long-term public services is saved.

Go HERE to make your own personal commitment.

For more information on PlayPumps, visit: www.GiveandGain.com

- by Amanda R. Terkel
ThingProgress.org, Center for American Progress

To View Laura Bush's Speech from the Clinton Initiative:

Click on the link below, Select "Video One- Initial Remarks,
Watch Archive Video" then Click on Laura Bush.

Laura Bush Speech at Clinton Initiative