Background

Clean drinking water: the most cost-effective medicine

In 2004 Steven and Joke Le Poole established the Max Foundation. The stimulus was the death of their 8 month old son Max. They turned their loss into something positive: a foundation to fight child mortality with the most effective and affordable medicine: clean drinking water. The Max Foundation therefore carries out small-scale drinking water projects in Bangladesh.

A future for €350

A drinking water well in Bangladesh costs €450. The local community must collect 200 signatures and nominate a maintenance committe in order to receive a well. They also contribute approximately €100 themselves. The Max Foundation provides the remaining €350. With this money and the help of the local community a well can been realized in a few months. Therefore hundreds of people, mainly children, can directly benefit from a sum of €350. Some of the most common causes of child mortality such as diarrhea, infections, and particularly in Bangladesh arsenic poisoning, can be prevented. Click on this link to see how you can contribute to the work of the Max Foundation.

Integrated approach

The Max Foundation views clean water facilities as the starting point for all other forms of prevention of child mortality. Up to now we have dug hundreds of water wells, latrines, and trained many volunteers. We always use an integrated approach to the drinking water projects. We give therefore training in how to maintain the system and education on good sanitation and hygiene. The Foundation uses a structured approach also known as Micro-Sanitation.