Many of us have heard of the importance of staying hydrated, even when wearing snowshoes in winter. To some people, staying hydrated may seem obvious and easily satisfying. We can take it for granted as the gift of cleansing and nourishing H2O. But for more than 785 million people worldwide, this is not the case, and it is difficult to obtain basic water services. In the past decade, an outdoor brand has been working tirelessly to turn the tide and ensure that millions of people around the world have access to clean water.

You may be familiar with Sawyer Products and some of its flagship outdoor accessories for safe adventures: water filters, insect repellent, first aid, sunscreen. Especially their sunscreen is essential for us snowshoeing people because we are in the winter sun (yes, they can go together). However, you may not know that this outdoor company is that they have worked with international projects for more than 12 years and promised to use their products to save lives.

Sawyer has affected more than 25,000,000 people in the process of eliminating pollutants in the water. The difference is amazing! Photo: Sawyer Products

Sawyer started a journey of water filtration technology in 2001 (although their insect repellent and sunscreen products have been around since the 1980s). Then, just seven years later, in 2008, in order to expand their mission to help the community, the pilot program of their sustainable impact project and their initiative to Sawyer International began, the same year they established their first charity partner in Fiji relation.

As Travis Avery, director of sales and marketing at Sawyer Products, said: “We were involved in how to implement it ourselves from the beginning. But the company that makes the filter is not always the best charity. In addition, what works in one county is different in another. A county is ineffective. Every country needs a different strategy."

For example, in Papua New Guinea, a family can share their water filter with three other families. But in some countries/regions, each family may need its own filter because they don’t have that kind of public culture. "The skills, knowledge, and abilities of these different charities can use these filters even further than our own," Avery said.

After Fiji, Sawyer began working with Honduras and Haiti to provide clean water solutions. This work also included the implementation of 120,000 filters for the 2010 Haiti earthquake relief. Today, Sawyer International has partnered with more than 140 charities in 80 countries. In addition, they have affected more than 25,000,000 people in eliminating pollutants in the water.

Today, Sawyer International has partnered with more than 140 charities in 80 countries. Photo: Sawyer Products

Water is indeed the key to promoting health. A daily dose of 11.5 to 15.5 glasses of water can keep us hydrated. But it is also essential for a range of other functions. It helps regulate body temperature, protect organs, deliver nutrients to cells, lubricate joints and remove waste from the body. The physical impact on our body is undeniable. But did you know that access to clean water also has a positive economic impact?

In December 2020, Sawyer completed a historic multi-charitable project of more than 10 years to provide the people of Liberia with a sustainable and clean border water source. More than 130,000 squeeze filters (via Sawyer's international barrel system) and 3,700 wells are distributed throughout Liberia, even in 20% of the country's remote rural areas.

During the project, they collected data from more than 100,000 households (with the rigor of scientific publication). The data set shows that the rate of diarrhea is reduced by more than 90%, and water-borne diseases are reduced by 95%. Clean water has also had an economic and educational impact on the community. The data shows that the number of working days (and household income) has increased. It also shows an increase in school (and study) days and a decrease in medical expenses related to water-borne diseases.

Cooperation with local charities in the county can also reveal the economic impact. The locals who work at every charity are the ones who distribute the filters. In addition, everyone receives comprehensive training to ensure long-term impact. Avery emphasized the importance. "In Liberia, all the people who distribute filters and receive training are Liberians. Not only are there financial incentives, but they [have] components of pride and effectiveness."

More than 130,000 squeeze filters (via Sawyer's international barrel system) and 3,700 wells are distributed throughout Liberia, even in 20% of the country's remote rural areas. Photo: Sawyer Products

Training for individuals who distribute filters (which also includes online videos caused by COVID) includes how to use and maintain water filters, and can also include washing and hygiene measures. In some areas, washing and hygiene habits may not be common. Therefore, adding these topics to the training had a significant impact. "By incorporating washing and hygiene measures into training, we have been able to reduce diarrhea by more than 90% in more than two countries," Avery said.

Another benefit of training is that it can bring long-term results and product use. In fact, Avery mentioned that some original filters from Honduras and Haiti are still in use every day after 12 years! This fact shows the feasibility of these filters, and their accompanying training can provide long-term solutions. In addition, since Sawyer collects data every few weeks, training sign-in is possible. For example, they can check whether the individual maintains the filter correctly. This follow-up action ensures the most significant health benefits for the people in the region.

Training related to the use and maintenance of filters and cleaning and sanitation practices can lead to long-term results and product use. Photo: Sawyer Products

Liberia may be the first country to help obtain clean water at the border through Sawyer, but it is not a country that has a positive impact through Sawyer's products.

About seven months ago, Sawyer International started a project to help Kibera. The region is the largest urban slum in Africa and one of the worst in the world. So far, they have brought about 30,000 faucet filters to nearly 90,000 people, which can filter up to 500 gallons of clean drinking water every day.

As Avery said, “Now that we have used bucket filters to provide clean water to the most remote areas of Liberia, we are happy to see how these filters have a significant impact on urban areas.” As part of Sawyer’s data, they saw The impact of clean drinking water. They found that ensuring that a family has clean drinking water can supplement 1/8 of a family's annual income! Therefore, the project may have a huge impact on the people living in Kibera.

Ensuring that a family has clean drinking water can supplement 1/8 of a family’s annual income. This fact may have a huge impact on Kibera and other regions. Photo: Sawyer Products

In addition to these long-term transformation efforts for clean water, other efforts are also underway. For example, Sawyer supports short-term disaster relief and effective and portable relief in refugee camps. Through cooperation with partners such as the American Red Cross, Sawyer's one-gallon gravity water filtration system can be used for low-cost emergency response.

Since the filter is very light (1.5 ounces) and foldable, it can save space in the transport vehicle. In addition, they reduce the weight of the transport aircraft, thereby saving the overall cost of disaster recovery. The need for disaster recovery cost savings is also evident in the United States. Avery mentioned that "there is a need to change practices and understand the impact at home." However, they are working with FEMA to make progress in using water filtration as an alternative to water. In terms of weight, 1 box of water is equivalent to the weight of 50 filters!

The cooperation with the American Red Cross enabled low-cost emergency response through Sawyer's gravity water filtration system. Photo: Sawyer Products

Sawyer has made incredible progress in providing clean water to people around the world. Now, as individuals, we can also contribute to this cause in many ways.

Products such as water filters, sunscreen, first aid and insect repellent are all essentials for outdoor adventures throughout the year. The water filter treats chemicals and limits water-borne diseases (I have been there and it is not interesting). Sunscreen is essential for skin health, even in winter, and insect repellents, including Sawyer's permethrin repellent, can keep these bugs out during warmer months.

However, when not doing outdoor adventures, the water filter can also be used as a filter. In fact, water filtration systems can have a positive impact on our environment by reducing disposable plastics.

Therefore, supporting a brand that is trying to change the world is an essential part of its mission. Because Sawyer's products have established connections with more than 140 charities, if you participate in a charity yourself, you may also participate in Sawyer International.

It is amazing what one person can support and what an outdoor company can do to influence the lives of other people around the world. As Travis Avery puts it, "[We] are fortunate that our filters not only allow people to take risks safely, but more importantly, we are making an impact all over the world."

For more information about Sawyer Products, Sawyer International and their global impact, please visit sawyer.com.

Are you familiar with Sawyer's international efforts? What impact do you want to have on the world? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

Sawyer Products sponsored this article.

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