Raising awareness and the need to mobilize so that
safe water is accessible to all, in sufficient quantity, today and forever.
ONE DROP was established by Guy Laliberté in 2007 as a non-profit
organization to support the awareness to and conservation of water, and although most of what ONE DROP
does is beyond Cirque du Soleil's pervue (both were founded by Laliberté,
but are two separate entities), the two companties do cross paths from time to
time.
In addition to the Poetic Social Mission that started it all, Cirque
and ONE DROP have collaborated on AQUA - a touring multi-sensory
experience that takes people on a journey into the world of water; and in
in One Night for One Drop, a philanthropic event for one extraordinary night,
and in an uprecedented manner, all Cirque du Soleil Las Vegas resident shows
come together to stage an amazing one-time performance in support of water
awareness.
Learn more about ONE DROP at their website:
www.onedrop.org.
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Projects
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A technical component aimed at improving access to water and promoting
responsible water management and preservation principles (i.e. provide water
filters, install water capitation and drip irrigation systems, protect water
sources, etc.);
A microfinance component for granting loans to populations who already
have better access to water so they may start productive revenue generating
activities (thus ensuring project sustainability);
And a social arts and popular education component designed to raise
collective awareness as well as educate and mobilize the population on
water-related issues. ONE DROP’s project sites include Nicaragua, Honduras,
Haiti, El Salvador, India and Burkina Faso.
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With its uniquely
artistic approach ONE DROP implements site-specific safe water and education
initiatives while allocating mission-related financing loans. Worldwide, ONE
DROP’s ongoing creative projects also raise awareness about water-related issues
and encourage smarter water practices. Through its mandate – “water for all, all
for water” – ONE DROP has developed integrated, innovative and sustainable
programs aimed at improving water access and management of this vital resource
throughout a one-of-a-kind “tripod” approach based on the complementary nature
of three components.
The organization is overseen by an international Board of Directors Chaired
by Founder of Cirque du Soleil, Guy Laliberté. The Executive Team is led by
Catherine Bachand and includes extensive nonprofit and programming experience.
ONE DROP is a proud signatory to Imagine Canada’s Ethical Code Program, a
national standards program that monitors and supports nonprofits in Canada.
In developed countries, ONE DROP’s artistic, educational and engaging
activities are aimed at raising individual and community awareness of
water-related issues and of the need to mobilize.
In order to provide water-access to more people, faster and at lesser costs,
ONE DROP chooses to join forces with international and local partners to multiply
the impact of its programs, avoid duplicating expertise, and benefit from
complementary experiences. ONE DROP has also developed a distinctive intervention
model based on clusters of countries. ONE DROP believes the impact of its actions
must be felt long after the organization has moved on to other shores. By
implementing projects in several adjacent countries, ONE DROP achieves critical
mass while increasing efficiency and optimizing regional results.
And it’s working: from its inception, ONE DROP has significantly and
sustainably improved the living conditions of 300,000 people worldwide.
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