RainCatcher 2011 Annual Report

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RainCatcher

Annual Report 2011

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Programs

UgandaKenya

India

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Why Water?

The reality is water is essential for all dimensions of life. Most people have no idea about the current state of the world’s water situation. 80% of infectious diseases are waterborne, killing millions of children each year. Over 4,500 people a day die from waterborne illnesses, most under the age of 5. I imagine some tend to look the other way, not wanting to take ownership of a seemingly vast and insurmountable task. Reality is, there is a problem and there are solutions.

As Mark Armfield, founder of RainCatcher, first told me when I joined the board of RainCatcher in January of 2011, “There is not a shortage of water available, only a shortage of water received.”

In 2011, RainCatcher established a board of directors and defined its mission. We saw the completion of 22 rainwater-harvesting systems in Uganda and Kenya, bringing our total to 46 systems. We donated over 2,700 filters capable of supplying more than 270,000 people clean, safe water. We visited India and began to explore and understand their water situation to see how we could help this huge population collect rainwater as a source of safe water.

I believe rainwater harvesting offers a very low-cost and low-maintenance clean-water solution to contribute to the health of the children in less fortunate areas of the world. While it may not be the end-all solution, its ease and simplicity offer many regions instant and long-lasting relief from their current water problems. As Mark also said to me that first day,“There is nothing easier than to catch the rain!”

Water is Life – Let it Rain!

David Zielski - Executive Director, RainCatcher

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“Giving and being of service is contagious. It not only fills our hearts, it is the exact divine medicine the world needs right now.” ~ Mark Armfield, Founder

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Innovation. Immediacy. impact.

Innovation

Our unique solution to the lack of clean water distinguishes us from non-profit organizations that invest in water wells alone. Ned Breslin, the CEO of Water for People, has been quoted as saying that reports from the field show that as many as 60% of the wells installed in Africa to deliver clean water may be broken or dysfunctional.* Our approach is relatively inexpensive, easy to use and durable allowing for sustainable development.

Execution and set up of RainCatcher projects in remote areas involves transporting our uniquely designed filters from the U.S. and locally sourcing all remaining materials. The filters we use eliminate bacteria and purify the water. The same technology for these filters is used in the medical field for blood dialysis.

Immediacy

Locally Sourced Materials + Simplistic System = IMMEDIATE IMPACT

Unlike RainCatcher, most water organizations focus on constructing wells, which can take weeks or months to complete. Our systems are easy and quick to build, requiring only a few days to setup, and a filter system can be set up in minutes. It’s that simple.

Impact

We are able to leave a lasting impact on the community, because RainCatcher filtration systems are durable and rainwater harvesting is sustainable. The locals learn how to use our filters and build our systems. This instills confidence and paves the way for a sense of independence to emerge.

* http://www.treehugger.com/corporate-responsibility/up-to-60-of-water-wells-in-developing-world-dont-work-video.html

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India

“As we traveled around southern India, the water shortage was apparent everywhere we went. One night, it started to pour rain like I have never see it rain before. This I came to learn was how it rained during the ‘monsoon season.’ The large Ashram we were staying at had huge gutters and downspouts overflowing with rainwater that was re-directed to the Arabian Sea. As I watched the rainwater washing out to the ocean, I could not help but wonder how we could help capture and use this clean water for the thousands of people that visit the Ashram daily.”

- David Zielski,Executive Director

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During a visit by Amma “The Hugging Saint,” a Hindu spiritual leader and guru, to Los Angeles, Max had the honor to meet Amma for a hug. Amma asked Max about his profession. Max, a fashion designer and member of RainCatcher’s board of directors, described to Amma his passion for both fashion and non-profit work.

Amma stopped him mid-sentence and said in a serious tone, “I want you to come to my Ashram in India and help me bring clean water to my people.” Determined to accept Amma’s invitation to help those in need, Max assembled a team including seven volunteers and flew into India three weeks later with 150 filters.

In sync with RainCatcher’s mission, hundreds of people were educated in a clean-water demonstration right in the middle of Amma’s darshan. The next stop on the trip was Kolkata. Equipped with 50 filters, RainCatcher’s team met with the city’s Water Minister and the Mother Teresa Organization.

Both cities were positively impacted and both are looking forward to RainCatcher’s return.

India’s groundwater scarcity and pollution calls for innovation.

India’s annual monsoons provide 50% of the total

annual precipitation in just 15 days. If India would make more efficient use

of monsoon rainfall, water scarcity would be greatly

reduced.

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Uganda RainCatcher installed rainwater-harvesting systems at 11 schools:

1. Kalamba Modern Primary School 2. Bright Star Primary School 3. Kiyooganyi Church of Uganda Primary School 4. Kiyooganyi Roman Catholic Primary School 5. St. KIzito Kasaana Primary 6. St. Matia Mulumba Kalonga Primary School 7. St. Susan Mubende High School 8. St. Noah Primary School 9. St. Charles Lwanga Lwangiri Secondary School 10. St. Mary’s Primary School 11. Kalamba Junior School

The primary partner in Uganda for the

delivery of rainwater-

harvesting systems to schools is Father Kizito. His parish

covers a vast area in the Mityana district.

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Uganda’s water resources are renewable and available.

Unfortunately, rapid population growth and uncontrolled environmental pollution

stand in the way of water health.

“The first RainCatcher presentation for kids I witnessed was a paradigm shift. Naive, I’d believed the children just didn’t know that the water they were scooping up and drinking alongside the road was dangerous. We just needed to explain micro-organisms and sanitation to them. But, as the trainer asked the crowd questions about the dangers of the glass of dirty water she was holding up, the students shouted out names of the related risks - Typhoid! Cholera! Worms! Diarrhea! Suddenly, a realization: each of these sweet, enthusiastic little scholars already knew that the water was making them sick; they just didn’t have a CHOICE.”

~ Martha McBrideProgram Coordinator - Africa

“The vulnerability of many Ugandan

communities to water-related disasters is

growing by the day due to many

undesirable human activities such as

deforestation, ecosystem degradation,

environmental pollution, and social

unrest.”

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KenyaIn Kenya, RainCatcher partners on the ground were instrumental in bringing permanent solutions to 10 schools and 1 church, providing readily available safe water to more than 3,500 people. The capacity of additional filters distributed can potentially deliver water to 250,000 more

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“What has motivated and motivates me is the speed and the effectiveness with which RainCatcher can change what is a life-and-death situation. I’ve done it several times in demonstrations. In three minutes, so much can change. When you show the dark water and clear water, a light bulb goes off. In 2011 I visited a village with a broken well and only dirty water available. In just a few minutes, I showed them how the filtration system works. They were singing and praising, thanking God. That’s how powerful and fast it is. That is the biggest gift and the hardest thing to swallow because it’s that quick, but the problem is not being solved fast enough. When you know something that immediate exists, it’s very compelling.”~ Darin Olien, RainCatcher Field Director

Projects completed:

1. Senator Obama School 2. Kogelo Primary School 3. Orinde Primary School 4. Akingili Primary School 5. Obede Primary School 6. Ulalo Primary School 7. Rateng’ Primary School8. Urna Primary School 9. Geta Primary School 10. Obede Secondary School, Yadh Village11. Israel Church of Africa, Nyahera Village

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We have set a 1-5-10 mission in motion in accordance with the United Nations Millennium

Development Program, which strives to achieve eight anti-poverty goals by 2015 including

providing clean water.

• 1– Help1percentofthe1billionpeoplewithoutaccesstocleandrinkingwater

• 5–Wewilldothisin5years(by2015MillenniumDevelopmentGoals)

• 10–Millionliveswillbepositivelychangedforever

Most importantly, one of our mission’s main focuses will be on education. We plan to teach

individuals how to use our RainCatcher systems and to enlighten them about the diseases that

can arise through drinking adulterated water. We believe education and changing behaviors

will make individuals realize the consequences of their actions, which will drive them to make

changes, without the constant aid and support of others – providing them with hope and a

sense of empowerment.

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The Mission

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RainCatcher will be the premier supplier of innovative clean water solutions to impoverished peoples residing

in all corners of the earth.

The Vision

2011 Expense Breakdown

Program81%

Administrative13%

Fundraising6%

Program Expenses: $244,642Administrative Expenses: $40,901

Fundraising Expenses: $17,771

TOTAL REVENUES: $234,225TOTAL EXPENSES: $303,314

Financials

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RainCatcher.org

Healing the Worldwith Clean Water

RainCatcher28990 Pacific Coast Highway #109b

Malibu, CA 90265310-457-1999

www.raincatcher.org