THE WATER PROJECT
CELEBRATING 10 YEARS WITH WATERAID
WaterAid is an international charity that transforms lives by improving access to safe water, hygiene, and sanitation. With hundreds of partners in civil society, the government, and private sectors, they help provide water, sanitation and hygiene to those most in need, and make transformational changes happen so that governments provide all of their citizens with affordable, sustainable services. Tackling the crisis from all angles, they work alongside local partners to deliver services, influence decision-makers to initiate change, and facilitate and generate incredible education and support across the world.
Collega's Toronto headquarters’ relationship with WaterAid began in April 2006, when the Collega network raised $14,059.30 for clean water projects in Eastern Africa. Since then, Collega Earth Month has raised more than $3.5 million in support of WaterAid and has changed the lives of over 140,000 children, women, and men in Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and now Madagascar.
We often take clean, drinkable water for granted, but those who must walk long and dangerous distances to reach unsafe water understand just how precious it is.
Why Madagascar? More than 50% of the people living in Madagascar don’t have access to clean water. Facts: World’s 6th poorest country.
• Population of 22 million.
• 11.7 million lack safe access to clean water.
• 88% lack access to proper sanitation.
And yet, did you know what 12 of Aveda’s key essential oils are sourced from Madagascar? They include:
• Cinnamon
• Clove
• Eucalyptus
• Vanilla
• Ylang ylang
By supporting water-related projects in Madagascar, we have the unique opportunity to give back to a country directly related to the products we make and love. Throughout our 10 year partnership with WaterAid, our network has helped change over 140,000 lives in Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and more recently Madagascar. Our headquarters in Toronto, Collega Aveda has contracted a 3-year commitment in Madagascar promising to provide access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene, affecting as many lives as possible.
Our key fundraising project includes our annual nationwide Walk for Water. This walk unites water warriors from 14 cities nationwide in a 6 km walk – the average distance women and children walk everyday in rural, developing cities worldwide to collect water. This year’s Walk for Water was on April 25th, from 9-11 AM local time. Appointments for Clean Water also took place on April 25th, with various Aveda salons, including all of our Civello locations, participating in this national fundraising event where salon & spa services were offered in exchange for Earth Month donations. 100% of the proceeds from salon services on that day benefited our 2016 Earth Month Campaign.
$25.00 can provide 1 person with clean water for life.
“Knowing how great the work is that has been done, and how great the work is that’s about to be done with the money we are raising, is a direct reminder as to why we do this and why we need to continue to do it.” – Kristjan Hayden (Creative Director, Civello Salon & Aveda Canada).Catwalk for Water 2016
