In episode 177 of the Disruptors for GOOD podcast, I speak with Chris Long and Sarah Evans, on their new partnership to provide more sustainable clean water sources to communities in East Africa.

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The global water crisis is one of the most pressing issues facing our world today. Over 800 million people lack access to clean water, and the consequences of this are dire.

Without clean water, communities cannot thrive or grow, and the health of individuals is put at risk. To address this issue, the Chris Long Foundation and Well Aware have partnered to provide sustainable clean water sources to communities in Kenya.

Chris Long, a two-time Super Bowl champion and philanthropist, founded Waterboys in 2015 to address the global water crisis.

The organization has been successful in providing aid to over 500,000 people in need. The partnership between the Chris Long Foundation and Well Aware will expand the reach of Waterboys’ initiatives and resources to achieve maximum impact.

“We are excited to bring Well Aware into the fold for their incredible technical expertise, strong in-country presence, commitment to partner communities, and demonstrated success.

Waterboys has set a bold goal of providing clean water to one million people in East Africa and the United States. In 2022, we reached a major milestone with over half a million served. This partnership will accelerate our impact as we play our part in helping to end the global water crisis.” – Chris Long

Well Aware is a women-led international non-profit organization known for its success and innovation in East Africa’s water sector.

The organization has maintained a 100% success rate across all its water projects to date and is setting an exceptional standard for efficiency and sustainability in water aid.

Additionally, Well Aware’s Well Beyond App empowers local leaders with ongoing project maintenance to ensure lasting water systems.

The partnership aims to improve rural water supply in Kenya and empower thousands with the clean water sources needed to survive and thrive.

The two organizations have set a goal to significantly increase access to sustainable clean water for communities in Kenya.

“We are deeply grateful to the Chris Long Foundation for their shared passion for providing access to clean water for communities in East Africa. Together we’ll be able to continue supporting Well Aware’s mission and help make clean water, economic development, and further education a reality for so many more people. This new partnership will enable a ripple effect of impact and profoundly transform so many lives.” – Sarah Evans, founder of Well Aware

The partnership will accelerate the impact of the Waterboys initiative as they play their part in helping to end the global water crisis.

In 2023, the Chris Long Foundation will join Well Aware in the field to visit completed projects and make plans to bring lasting clean water solutions to local communities.

The partnership between the Chris Long Foundation and Well Aware is committed to long-term solutions addressing water scarcity and innovation in the sector.

About the Chris Long Foundation

The Chris Long Foundation believes that when people lack basic necessities like clean water and education, they are forced to focus solely on their immediate needs, leaving little time for planning a prosperous future.

By addressing these two fundamental needs, the Foundation aims to improve quality of life for under-served communities in the US and around the world. The Foundation raises awareness of the importance of clean water and education in creating a better future and mobilizes resources to meet these needs.

About Well Aware

Well Aware is an international nonprofit organization headquartered in Austin, Texas, that is committed to providing sustainable clean water systems in East Africa.

Since its establishment in 2010, Well Aware has funded, implemented, and maintained over 100 clean water projects in Kenya and Tanzania.

The organization uses a community-driven approach that empowers local leaders to take ownership of the projects and ensure their long-term sustainability.

Well Aware’s approach to providing sustainable clean water systems sets the standard for efficiency, innovation, and sustainability in the water aid sector.

All of its water projects maintain a 100% success rate. The organization’s technical expertise and dedication to its mission have earned it recognition from various organizations, including the United Nations.

Well Aware’s impact extends beyond providing clean water to the communities it serves. The organization’s projects also drive economic development by providing job opportunities and improving access to education.

In addition, Well Aware empowers local leaders by providing ongoing training and support to ensure that the water systems remain functional for years to come.

Interview Transcript

00:10

Host: Today we have two amazing guests, Chris Long and Sara Evans, discussing their new partnership to bring and scale clean water systems to East Africa. Chris Long is a two-time Super Bowl champion and 2018 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award winner.

He is the creator of the Chris Long Foundation, which mobilizes ambassadors, service providers, and experts to help communities access clean water, address basic needs for youth and families, and inspire others to make an impact at home and abroad. Their vision is access and opportunity everywhere. To date, the Waterboys initiative has provided clean water to over 500,000 people in need. With this new partnership with Well Aware, they aim to scale that to over a million and beyond.

Sara Evans is the co-founder and CEO of Well Beyond, a social enterprise providing expertise and tools to organizations and governments on water development and health initiatives. She’s also the founder of Well Aware, an international nonprofit that funds and implements clean water systems for impoverished communities in Africa.

Well Aware is known for its sustainability model in building lasting water systems with high impact. Under her leadership, Well Aware’s reputation for project success and cost-effectiveness has prompted numerous collaborations with other NGOs worldwide to guide their water infrastructure projects. Their project success rate is 100%, versus the industry average of 40%. Let’s get into the conversation.

01:58

Host: Well, thank you so much, Sara and Chris, for joining me today. I’m super excited to chat about both your journeys into the issue of clean water and the partnership that you’ve struck just recently. The work that’s going to be done is probably going to be incredible.

Before we get started, I wanted to hear about both your paths into how the issue of clean water came into your lives. Because, you know, it’s a big deal globally. Sara, if you want to go first, talk a little bit about your journey into clean water.

02:04

Sara Evans: I was not planning on this being my career. I was a lawyer on a pretty decent career path, but I met a friend who asked if I would help on his project to raise some funding for a project she was doing in Kenya.

I thought, sure, I’ll help. Coincidentally, I majored in civil engineering in undergrad and then went to law school, focusing on environmental engineering. I worked for the EPA in clean water.

The project brought to my attention was to revive a community in Kenya by raising money to buy livestock for the Maasai community. But through my research, I found that the livestock were dying because they didn’t have regular access to water. The lack of water was causing almost all the other problems in the region. So I suggested drilling a well instead.

We raised money and did that first project. That was the pivotal moment in my life when I decided to direct all my efforts toward this cause.

03:44

Host: Chris, you want to jump in and talk a little bit about your journey?

03:47

Chris Long: Sure. I don’t think anything happens by accident, but it sure felt like luck ending up in Tanzania for me. As an NFL player, I spent most of my time focused on football. One offseason, I had a new coach named Jeff Fisher. I remember meeting him and seeing a picture of people climbing Kilimanjaro in his office. I told him I’d like to do that one day. He didn’t want me to do it while I played, but I did it anyway.

I went to Tanzania, stayed in Arusha, and climbed Kilimanjaro. After the climb, I was at a bar with one of my best friends and teammates, and we ran into Joe Buck, the sports announcer. He introduced me to Doug Pitt, and they were there on a water project. They spent the evening telling us about the water issue in Tanzania. When I got home, I marinated on it. I wanted to start a foundation but didn’t know what cause to focus on.

I loved the fact that when you donate to water, you can see a direct impact. It answers a dire need, and you can illustrate to donors where their money is going. So, I started Waterboys. Now, almost a decade later, we’re still rolling and have new partners. I’m super excited.

06:11

Host: Let’s talk about the partnership between the Chris Long Foundation, the Waterboys initiative, and Well Aware. How did this partnership come about, and what are some of the goals you want to achieve together?

06:31

Sara Evans: I’m not entirely sure how it manifested, but the team at Waterboys was actively seeking a quality partner. We had some conversations and realized it was an excellent fit.

We launched our work together this year. Chris and his team bring a lot to the table, especially in spreading the word and their passion. Well Aware has become quite good at the integrity of our project work and maintaining a high success rate. We’re innovating with new technology to ensure the longevity of our water systems. It’s a lovely union, and I’m excited to see how it unfolds.

07:25

Host: Chris, was the efficiency and innovation of Well Aware part of the reason you reached out to them?

07:41

Chris Long: Absolutely. We were looking for a partner with a strong reputation for innovation and efficiency. Well Aware’s success rate and use of new technology were very appealing. Plus, they’re based in Austin, which is always a plus. The app they developed, Well Beyond, allows for real-time communication and maintenance of water systems.

This ensures the longevity of the wells and empowers the communities to manage their water resources effectively. We’re excited to work with them and believe this partnership will elevate our efforts significantly.

08:51

Host: Chris, you mentioned the economic development and empowerment that clean water brings to communities. For those who haven’t been on the ground, what is it like when a well gets installed, and what kind of impact does it have?

09:17

Chris Long: It’s life-changing. When we bring a group to Tanzania, we visit traditional water sites to show the stark contrast. It’s sobering to see people drinking muddy water from a pond shared with livestock.

When a well is installed, the impact is immediate and multifaceted. Agriculture improves, women and girls can go to school and work instead of spending hours gathering water. The overall health of the community improves, reducing waterborne diseases and dehydration. It brings hope and stability, transforming the community.

12:13

Host: Sara, can you talk about the app and its role in maintaining the water systems?

12:40

Sara Evans: Absolutely. We’ve been conditioned to think that installing a well is the end goal, but it’s just the beginning. In the early days of Well Aware, we saw many projects fail within a year due to lack of maintenance. We realized the need for a tool to support these communities long-term.

The app we developed, Well Beyond, allows for real-time diagnostics, regular maintenance prompts, and remote chat support. It empowers communities to maintain their water systems, reducing maintenance costs and ensuring longevity. The app has been a game-changer, providing the necessary communication and resources to keep the water systems running efficiently.

15:53

Host: Chris, let’s talk about athletes and philanthropy. How have you seen athletes getting more involved in social issues, and what role does social media play in this?

16:42

Chris Long: Social media has been a game-changer. It gives athletes a platform to reach fans directly and raise awareness about issues they care about. Athletes have a powerful voice, and when they speak, people listen.

However, it’s important for athletes to be informed and genuinely committed to the causes they support. Waterboys has involved many athletes from different sports, creating a collective impact. It’s like recruiting; you find the right people who can represent your cause effectively.

We’ve had great success with athletes from the NFL, women’s soccer, MMA, and veterans. Our goal is to move the issue of clean water to the forefront of people’s minds and continue to grow our impact.

20:43

Host: Are there similar initiatives for clean water in the U.S., and what are the challenges here?

21:02

Chris Long: The challenges in the U.S. are more complex due to bureaucratic red tape and infrastructure issues. We’ve done work in both urban and rural areas, including installing wells for single families and filtration systems in schools.

The scale and nature of the problems vary, but the need for clean water is universal. There’s a lot to tackle domestically, and our work here is just as important. Our domestic initiatives, like Hometown H2O and projects on Navajo Nation, aim to address these issues.

22:37

Host: Sara, looking ahead three to five years, what are your goals and the goals of this partnership?

22:52

Sara Evans: I have an ambitious goal to help fix the sector. Many organizations are doing well-meaning work, but the results are not always as effective as they could be. Our app is part of the solution, providing long-term support and improving success rates.

If we can channel resources more effectively, we can make a bigger impact. I also want to raise awareness and educate people to improve the sector as a whole. Our work can be an example of how community-driven approaches and strong partnerships can lead to sustainable solutions.

24:12

Host: Chris, what are your goals for the next three to five years?

24:16

Chris Long: When we started Waterboys, our goal was 32 wells for 32 teams. We achieved that and moved to a goal of serving one million people. We’re halfway there, having provided clean water to 500,000 people. Our goal is to reach that million mark in the next few years.

Partners like Well Aware will help us achieve this. We’re also focusing on domestic projects and continuing to raise awareness. Ultimately, it’s about moving the issue of clean water to the forefront of people’s minds and continuing to make a significant impact.

26:42

Host: Thank you so much, Sara and Chris, for an incredible conversation. Best of luck to you and your teams in the years to come. I’m confident you’ll reach your goals and beyond.

Chris Long: Thank you, Grant. And for listeners who want to learn more, visit our websites and get involved. Every effort counts.

Sara Evans: Thanks, Grant. We’re excited about the future and appreciate the opportunity to share our mission.