LifeStraw Trip: Follow the Liters

“Okay, so just to clarify, you’re saying that my only job this week is to play with kids and take pictures?” I asked my team leader, Dan.

This is Dan.

“Yes,” he replied, but it sounded too good to be true.

“So… you mean, if I do nothing else but goof off with the kids all day long, you’ll be pleased?”

Dan’s response: yes…

And so began my action-packed week in Kakamega, Kenya – but wait. How did I end up spending a week in Kenya?

Great question. Let’s back track.

How did I get involved?

It all started back in August at the great chaotic gathering that is Outdoor Retailer. I was wandering around the pavilions, checking out the various brands, when I stumbled upon the LifeStraw booth.

I had, of course, seen ads for LifeStraw in many issues of Rock & Ice, but I had no idea that they were working to provide safe water to people around the globe.

When I heard about their Follow the Liters campaign in Kenya, I knew that I wanted to somehow be a part of the mission – some way, somehow.

I was planning on contacting companies to compile a trip sponsorship, but LifeStraw decided to hold their very first Facebook contest before I had the chance to send anything out.

lifestraw

Fast forward through an entire week of Facebook nagging and begging for virtual votes, and I was applying for my visa and getting all my vaccinations up to date for Kenya. You guys are the best! 😀

Who is LifeStraw?

In case you haven’t heard about LifeStraw, here are some fun facts:

LifeStraw is owned by a parent company, named Vestergaard
In 1994, Vestergaard created a cloth filter to remove Guinea worm larvae from water
In 1999, the design evolved into more of a pipe-like form, and LifeStraw was born
In 1999, Vestergaard also launched the PermaNet, a long-lasting insecticidal bed nets for malaria prevention
In 2005, Vestergaard released its first personal water filter that could remove virtually all microbiological contaminants – the original LifeStraw
In 2008, Vestergaard released the LifeStraw Family, a filter for in-home use and larger volumes of water
In 2013, Vestergaard introduced the LifeStraw Community, a high-volume purifier for schools and clinics
In 2014, Vestergaard launched the LifeStraw Go, refillable water bottle for the outdoor enthusiasts
In 2014, LifeStraw created the Follow the Liters program in Kenya, providing LifeStraw Community filters to local schools
In 2015, Vestergaard added the LifeStraw Mission, a high-volume collapsible bag for group hikes and expeditions
Every purchase of a LifeStraw product in the US, Canada, and Europe will help fund the Follow the Liters program in Kenya

What is the Follow the Liters program?

The Follow the Liters program is only a few years old, but Vestergaard has had an office in Kenya since 1995 with about 48 local staff members.

In 2011, Vestergaard began distributing LifeStraw Family filters to over 4 million people with their Carbon for Water campaign, but they soon realized that schools were dropping the ball in terms of providing safe, clean water.

The LifeStraw Community filter became the solution to this problem, as it was created to:

Hold 50 liters of water
Provide clean water for 75-100 students
Last anywhere from 3-5 years depending on use

Now, Vestergaard has distributed over 4,000 LifeStraw Community filters to provide safe water for over 300,000 school children in Kenya.

These schools receive the filters, education, maintenance, and replacements all for FREE when you purchase LifeStraw products.

This program isn’t about white people saving the world or making underdeveloped countries dependent on frivolous western products. This program is designed to save lives and bring clean water to those in need.