In Sierra Leone children from families with limited resources often collect  drinking water from unsafe sources that attribute to many health problems in the country. Globally Sierra Leone has one of the lowest incomes.

The goal of the Sierra Leone Safe Water Project is to develop a safe water model for limited resource children and their families in developing countries. This project will provide clean water for low- income children in Sierra Leone while providing training and employment opportunities for youth and young adults related to safe water and nutrition.

Unsafe Water

In Sierra Leone, health problems and a low life expectancy can be attributed to water pollutants and poor sanitation, which contribute to an average life expectancy of only 56 years. Infections and parasites, found in contaminated water, are the leading cause of death in Sierra Leone. Almost half of the population utilizes unprotected water sources for drinking: freestanding water, such as dams, streams, ponds, and unprotected wells. The country has two seasons, a rainy and dry season. Torrential rains make water collection difficult for local residents as many lack adequate collection and storage equipment. During the rainy season, flooding may occur filling uncovered wells with waste and spreading contaminated water to other drinking sources. During the dry season, droughts are often experienced.

Chemicals used for agriculture production, further contaminate drinking water. Poor sanitation results in a high risk of Hepatitis A and Typhoid fever. Standing water breeds malaria-carrying mosquitoes that plague the region with one of the most common deadly infections contracted in the area. Un-sanitized storage containers used to collect and store water results in unsafe drinking water for children and their families.