Collegiate Women Walk Together Nationwide to Bring Clean Drinking Water to African Families

Hundreds of Students from 11 College Campuses to Host BH2O+ Clean Water Awareness Events

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. April 20, 2009 More than 650 students at 11 college and university campuses across the nation are joining forces the week of April 20 to raise awareness of the need for clean drinking water in Africa. BH2O+ ("Be Hope to Her") events will take place throughout the day, sponsored by Nuru International, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, public benefit charity committed to pioneering holistic, sustainable solutions to end extreme poverty in partnership with the poor.

BH2O+ events will include a rally designed to educate students and community members about the plight of women in Africa created by the lack of accessible clean drinking water. The focal point of each event will be a solidarity walk in which hundreds of collegiate women will carry buckets of water on their heads through their campuses to a designated water source, in demonstration of the grueling daily task required by girls and women throughout Africa.

Working together, these college students seek to bring hope to the women of the developing world, and to raise funds that will enable the drilling of four deep water wells at schools in Kuria, Kenya, as well as the engineering of rain water harvesting systems in Kenyan homes. One investor has already offered $500 per school to match funds raised at each campus, and another donor has agreed to give $10 on behalf of each student participant, with a total donation of up to $5000.

"A critical part of Nuru's mission is to inspire the developed world to confront the crisis of extreme poverty, and to help students become advocates for this important cause," said Jake Harriman, CEO of Nuru International. "Through the BH2O+ events, collegiate women and men are taking powerful steps to educate their fellow students about the need for clean drinking water in Africa. Further, their fund raising efforts will directly contribute to lasting clean water solutions in Kuria, Kenya and Malawi."

Colleges and universities hosting BH2O+ events include: Ball State, Boston College, Colorado Christian University, Gonzaga University, Marshall University, Stanford University, Virginia Tech, University of Iowa, Wake Forest, West Virginia University and Wingate University. Photo and video highlights from the events will be available at www.bhope2her.org; additional information will be available from each campus.

The Crucial Need for Clean Drinking Water
The consumption of contaminated water is responsible for approximately 80% of all diseases and more than a third of all deaths in developing countries. Access to clean water, as well as education about water sanitation, is critical to reducing illness in communities worldwide. In Africa, girls and women spend an average of three hours per day collecting water from distant sources. They must then spend additional time filtering and disinfecting that water so that it is safe to drink.

Long walks to distant water sources take precious time from activities such as school or work, and they can prove a source of danger or physical stress: the average African woman carries 44 pounds of water on her head. Accessible wells with clean drinking water will not only improve health in these African communities; they will also give back needed time to each girl and woman, allowing them opportunity for education, development and family activities. More information on the importance of clean water and sanitation is available at http://www.bhope2her.org/storage/documents/BH2OWaterandSanitationOvervie....

Get Involved
Based on the Kiswahili word meaning "light", Nuru International is a new humanitarian organization at the crossroads of innovation and extreme poverty. Its goal of ending extreme poverty relies on the courage and action of people worldwide to get involved and Be Nuru. There are many ways to get involved:

·             Donate online at http://www.nuruinternational.org/donate.html ·             Sign up for the Nuru Newsletter ·             Friend Nuru's Facebook Cause at http://apps.facebook.com/causes/74277 ·             Join a Nuru College Chapter ·             Volunteer to perform research/evaluation More information on how to Be Nuru is available at http://www.nuruinternational.org/benuru.html