Pura

Founder: Samarth Arabastani

Website: wearepura.org (external link) 

Pura is a global water sanitation initiative, with a goal of providing access to clean drinking water for all.

According to the World Health Organization, one billion people in the world do not have access to safe drinking water. Every 19 seconds, a child under the age of five dies due to water-borne diseases. We aim to tackle this through the use of low-tech ceramic water filtration units with a cost of $2, made from materials local to our target communities.

The implementation model starts by partnering with local potters in target communities in which pottery is a traditional craft, that often generates a lower income than required to sustain a family. Next, passionate potters demonstrating need are selected as ‘waterpreneurs’. They are taught how to manufacture the clay filters that resemble the clay pots already used for storage of drinking water, and receive entrepreneurial education coupled with a micro-loan to jumpstart water sanitation businesses. This addresses three problems in the identified areas: lack of economic opportunity for artisans, endangerment of traditional culture, and lack of access to clean drinking water.  

For us at Pura, clean drinking water is a human right.