Dec 14 2011 @ 03:00

$250,000 from Google.org…. THANK YOU!

The holidays have come a little early to EWB. We’re incredibly happy to announce that we’ve received a $250,000 grant from Google.org. The press release below conveys just how thankful and excited we are – this is an incredible development that will really unlock the potential of our water and sanitation program (Malawi) and our government and rural infrastructure work (Ghana).

EWB Canada announces $250,000 grant from Google.org

Grant will support systemic innovations that allow rural Africans to prosper.

December 13, 2011 – Engineers Without Borders Canada (EWB) today announced that it has received a $250,000 grant from Google.org. The funds will support EWB’s intelligent development approach in Malawi and Ghana by investing in positive change in the water and sanitation and rural infrastructure sectors.

"The work that Google.org is supporting is truly game-changing," said George Roter, CEO and Co-Founder of EWB. "Our innovations are co-created with local partners and work at a systemic level to ensure that change is lasting – this will ensure that water pumps installed today are still working 10-years from now."

EWB is one of only two Canadian organizations to receive the grant from Google.org, which is giving out a total of $40 million globally.

"We are obviously delighted to have Google's support, even more so because we see some similarities between our organizations," said Roter. "Google didn't invent search, it made search better. EWB certainly didn't invent international development or rural water and sanitation. But we're analyzing what works and what doesn't, and creating systemic innovations with our local partners to make development better, in order to unlock the incredible potential of people living in rural Africa."

The announcement comes in the midst of another EWB fund-raising effort, The Perspectives Challenge, where nearly 300 campaigners from coast-to-coast have shared challenging ideas on development practices and Canada's role with over 20,000 Canadians in an effort to raise money for the organization. To-date, the campaign has raised over $100,000, and continues until January 6th. You can see the hundreds of perspectives being shared at perspectives.ewb.ca.

ABOUT Engineers Without Borders Canada (EWB):
EWB is a registered Canadian charity that is taking a systemic approach to unlocking the potential of rural Africans. With a global network 45,000 strong, it is actively changing the way that development is done, through policy innovations with the Canadian government, and ventures in Malawi, Ghana, Burkina Faso and Zambia. EWB takes a unique approach to development, partnering with local businesses, governments, entrepreneurs and organizations to help them drive change from within.

CONTACT:
Beth Borody, Communications and Fundraising Manager
(647) 382-7524
bethborody@ewb.ca

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