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WHAT WE'RE ALL ABOUT
A lack of clean water affects billions worldwide, but at Build a Water Project, we want to fix that. Your funds help build a water project that supplies clean water for a community in need. The project types vary, but may include the construction of wells, distribution of hygiene supplies, and community gatherings to help spread awareness. Community by community, we are ending the water crisis.
What is the water crisis?
The water crisis is a problem in which certain regions do not have adequate access to clean and safe drinking water and sanitation. This leads to the spread of illnesses such as cholera and diarrhea. There are multiple causes of the water crisis, such as insufficient funding and climate change. The solution we have identified is to build infrastructure that efficiently supplies clean water to communities in need. This way, people - especially women and girls - do not need to spend hours fetching dirty water and can spend their time elsewhere. Though the water crisis is big, we can change lives one community at a time, one water project at a time.
Leah Fontaine
Founder and CEO
At 15, Leah realized the intense impact the water crisis - a lack of clean water for billions - for communities around the world. She decided to change that. Leah worked with a student from her school to raise over $1700 for charity: water. A year and a half later, Leah realized her passion for making clean water accessible for all and, coupled with her childhood love for entrepreneurship, Build a Water Project was developed.
Rehna Saalinger
COO
After hearing about Leah’s life changing project, Rehna knew she had to get involved. She started selling bracelets to help raise money for the cause and later stepped into a bigger role as the COO of the organization. Build a Water Project’s first initiative in Bangladesh was especially inspiring to her as a second generation American with roots in India. She has loved being a part of this incredible organization and hopes to continue to change more lives in the future.
Joseph Fontaine
President
As Joseph watched his older sister, Leah, found Build a Water Project, he gained the passion to help end the world's water crisis. Joseph teamed up with Leah and Rehna to begin the Build a Water Project Spring 2026 Internship. Joseph's passion to help communities will lead to him to expand Build a Water Project even further. His goal is to give safe and accessible drinking water to communities across the world.
