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Ten avid WaterAid supporters have just returned from visiting WaterAid's work in Ghana.

Every year a different group of dedicated supporters goes and sees WaterAid projects for themselves to learn where the funds that they raised have gone and the difference that their hard work has made to people's lives.

The trips are self funded - paid for by either the individuals or the companies that they work for.

The trips not only provide the supporters with a great insight, they also offer WaterAid an opportunity to raise awareness of its cause and remind people of the WaterAid appeal which is sent to 24 million UK households in their annual water bills.

By filming on the trips WaterAid is able to publicise the story which results in TV and newspapers around the country featuring local WaterAid supporters spreading the WaterAid message far and wide.

So look out for a WaterAid supporter in Ghana on TV and in newspapers near you soon!

WaterAid India cleans up

A WaterAid project in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu has received widespread acclaim for achieving 100% sanitation, a national first, in an inner city slum.

The Kalmandhai slum in the city of Tiruchirapalli officially received its status as the country's first 100% sanitised slum on 6 November 2002. Two years ago 73% of the children living in this ramshackle, crowded settlement were suffering from diarrhoeal diseases due to appalling hygiene. Open defecation was the norm as there were no latrines.

WaterAid and its partner Gramalaya ran hygiene promotion sessions to explain the need for good sanitation and helped the community build communal toilet and bathroom blocks. The community is now rightly proud of the fact that 100% of the residents practice good hygiene such as safely using latrines. The project's success is reflected in the fall of incidence of diarrhoeal disease to just 10% among children.

Coldplay and WaterAid

Coldplay have chosen WaterAid as one of their five favoured charities.

Credit: WaterAid / Alex Macro

If you are a Coldplay fan there is only one Chris Martin. The lead singer of Britain's favourite guitar band has the world at his feet and unsafe water and sanitation on his mind. Along with band members Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman and Will Champion, Chris has chosen WaterAid as one of their five favoured charities.

The award-winning band has raised awareness on the cover of their latest album, A Rush of Blood to the Head, and by inviting WaterAid to have information stands on their recent sell-out UK tour.

So how did they come on board? Well, strangely, it was with the help of an entirely different Chris Martin. Librarian at South West Water and WaterAid supporter for eight years, Chris Martin has known singer Chris since he was a teenager. South West Chris says: "I knew Chris really cared about social injustice so when I asked him if he would help out WaterAid by publicising our cause he said yes straight away!" Make that two Chris Martins…

WaterAid's President's Awards

The awards were signed by HRH the Prince of Wales.

Credit: WaterAid / Ray Marsh

The first President's Awards for Outstanding Voluntary Contribution to WaterAid were presented by The Rt Honourable Baroness Chalker of Wallasey, WaterAid's Vice President on 19 September 2002.

Each of the individuals honoured by this award was presented with a personally signed certificate from HRH Prince of Wales in recognition of their outstanding commitment and dedication to WaterAid's work over the last 21 years. The awards were made to the following people pictured:

Front row left to right: Kay O'Regan (Thames Water); Julie Wilson (Northumbrian Water); Tom Millar (Scottish Water Authority); Neil Duncanson (Southern Water) and Sue La Roche (collecting an award with her husband).

Middle row: Bill Jollans; Dr Terry Spens (WaterAid Social Development Adviser); Roy Oakley, Lindesay Robertson (formerly WaterAid Technical Advisors along with Bill Jollans); Margaret Elshaw (west of England community volunteer); John La Roche (Water for Survival, New Zealand).

Top row: Robin Wood, Margaret Wood (fundraising volunteers at WaterAid's head office); Doug Muncey (Rotary International of Great Britain and Ireland); Derrick Williams (Three Valleys Water); Bob Leng (The Environment Agency); John de Val (Anglian Water retired); John Wareing (United Utilities); David Moulds (Scottish Water Authority); Derek Pimble (Severn Trent) and Baroness Chalker of Wallasey (presenting awards).

Others who were given awards but who were unable to attend on the day were Lloyd Davies (formerly Yorkshire Water) and Philip Bonner-Steel (formerly Welsh Water).

Looking forward

2002, WaterAid's 21st birthday year, was very successful. WaterAid and it partners directly helped over 500,000 people gain access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene education during the year, meaning that in total WaterAid has now helped over seven million people.

The people behind these numbers have seen their lives revolutionised by clean water. There are literally millions of stories of people living healthier, happier lives unburdened by the chore of walking miles to fetch water and living without sanitation.

In 2003 WaterAid aims to increase the numbers of people it helps both directly and through levered income - where WaterAid plays an advisory role but funds are channelled direct from donors to WaterAid partners.

WaterAid will also increase its research projects, advocacy work and networks, both in its country programmes and here in the UK, to influence decision makers nationally and internationally.

Through this work we will look forward to our vision of a world where everyone has access to safe water and sanitation being achieved.