785 MILLION PEOPLE STILL DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO A BASIC DRINKING WATER SUPPLY.
Globally, at least 2 billion people use a drinking water source contaminated with feces. Women and children in the developing world spend over 200 million hours every day collecting water from distant, often polluted sources (for up to 10 miles at a time). The weight of water that women in the developing world carry on their heads is commonly 20kg (or 45 pounds), which is as heavy as the maximum airport luggage allowance. More people die each year from unsafe water than from all forms of violence, including war.
E.P.I.C. (Everyday People Initiating Change) is a 501c3 non-profit organization committed to bringing safe, clean drinking water to rural villages in Tanzania, Africa. In addition to implementing clean water wells, E.P.I.C. provides Hygiene and Sanitation Education, Youth Leadership Programs, and support in Community Growth and Development to each of the villages where we drill.
Through our Fellowship Program, E.P.I.C. has become a global movement that encourages and inspires Everyday People to actively work on Initiating the Change that they wish to see in the world. No matter what our financial status, time constraints, societal status or external circumstances, the fundamental principle that defines E.P.I.C. is that we, as Everyday People, are always capable of Initiating positive Change if we have a strong enough desire to do so.
E.P.I.C. FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM
The E.P.I.C. Fellowship Program is a leadership training and on the ground experience in global aid and development. We bring committed and passionate people like you to communities in need, to take part in various projects such as; the implementation of clean water wells, hygiene and sanitation education, performing arts and creativity, business and leadership training, nutrition education, medical aid, and the construction of schools, libraries, and other educational institutions. The Fellowship Program was created by the founders of E.P.I.C. (Everyday People Initiating Change), Tennille Amor and Alexi Panos, to educate and inspire global advocates to be the change they wish to see in the world.
GRASSROOTS
E.P.I.C. is run by an extremely small team, meaning that our operation costs are low, and 100% of the money donated through this website goes directly towards the communities that we serve.
RIPPLE EFFECT
Providing clean water in a village ripples out, and positively affects everything else in that community, including hygiene and sanitation, education, economy, health and wellbeing, lowered rape cases, women's empowerment, and ending poverty.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Each of the wells that we drill, and the communities that we assist can be seen on our website by clicking on Success Stories. We go back to each village, year after year to touch base, and make sure that each project is still successfully running.
WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT
Collecting water for the family is primarily the responsibility of women and girls. When they no longer have to walk long distances to collect water, girls are more likely to spend more time in school, and women are able to start small businesses to help provide for their families.
LOCAL LEADERS
By taking a "Bottom Up" approach, as opposed to "Top Down," E.P.I.C. empowers the local people in each community to take charge of their own projects to ensure that they are sustainable. Visit FAQs to learn more about how we support 10 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
