Shropshire charity's drive to supply safe water to African villages

But in rural Zambia in Southern Africa, two in three people drink dirty water from a polluted source and have no choice but to use the field outside their home as a toilet.

Almost everyone suffers sickness and diarrhoea, almost all of the time.

Village Water is a Shropshire-based charity helping to change this by supporting safe water and sanitation in villages, schools and health centres.

It all began in 2003 with founding trustee David Dixon, from Weston-under-Lizard.

He said: "I sold my business and decided I wanted to use some of the proceeds to do something useful."

Ten years on, David is still an active trustee and Village Water has changed the lives of almost 170,000 people in 650 villages and 25 schools.

• Visit the Village Water website

Clare Wearden, the charity's director, said: "We believe in people helping themselves.

"We don't simply provide a new water point, because nothing works without community involvement.

"If people don't change their hygiene and sanitation practices, even with safe water, they will still fall ill, which prevents adults from working and children from attending school.

"So our model goes back to basics to help communities understand the need to make changes and the long-term benefits.

"Once families are healthier they have so many more opportunities to move out of poverty.

"Money and time spent on caring for the sick can now be invested in productive activities and school fees. "

In July the charity launched its Well Good Appeal to pay for more wells in Zambia and Mozambique.

Until October 29 every £1 donated will be doubled by the Government and so far £100,000 has been raised.

Justine Greening, Secretary of State for International Development, said: "This is without doubt a Well Good Appeal and it is great that the Shropshire Star is helping to get the message out.

"I hope readers will get behind this local charity and give generously. By doubling every one of their donations, we will help provide 40 schools and 40 villages with wells and water points.

"That means 18,000 people in one of the poorest areas of Zambia will get clean, safe water, which is a fantastic result."

Shropshire businesses have got behind the appeal with family-run tapas restaurant Casa Naranjo in Shrewsbury creating a Spanish extravaganza evening.

The restaurant was given over to Village Water and 37 guests were met with a welcome drink and Spanish guitar music from local musician Nick Wenlock.

Everyone enjoyed three courses of Spanish food and wine and the total raised on the night was £611.

Once doubled under the appeal's match fund grant this will change 50 people's lives in rural Zambia.

Schools across Shropshire are also getting involved in the Well Good Appeal.

In addition to general assemblies and activities around water and sanitation poverty, Village Water has produced a pack for Global Hand Washing Day on October 15 full of lesson plans, stories from Africa and fun activities, to highlight the importance of hand washing to save the lives of vulnerable people in some of the poorest corners of the world.

The team was joined by Daniel Kawczynski, MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham, on a visit to Wilfred Owen School on October 3 for a special assembly to raise awareness.

In November, the charity will celebrate World Toilet Day with a world record attempt at the "big squat".

And the team will travel to the Zambian High Commission in London on October 29 to celebrate both the end of the Well Good Appeal and the 50th anniversary of Zambian independence.

The High Commissioner will host the event and there will be typical Zambian snacks and a band.

Miss Wearden said: "Village Water is always looking for fit followers to take part in running, swimming or cycling challenges, so if you are intending to take up a challenge and raise some money, why not do it for water?

"Donations of second hand books and good quality clothing for an event in Market Square, Shrewsbury, in November would be very welcome as well as working digital cameras to take to Zambia to support project monitoring activities."

• For more details call Clare or Rachel on (01743) 241563 or visit the website at www.villagewater.org/donate or follow the charity on Twitter @VillageWater

• Visit the Village Water website