UAE teenagers making a world of difference

Dubai: Over 1,000 families in Bangladesh do not have to worry about their lives when quenching their thirst, thanks to the efforts of two teenagers in Dubai.

With World Water Day being observed Monday, Aman Ghose and Edward Pollock are aiming to help provide clean water to hundreds more across the world.

Gulf News first met the Dubai International Academy (DIA) pupils in August 2009, when they were putting their heads together to raise funds and create awareness about the crucial resource. A lot has happened since.

They now have an organisation run by students, called the Aqua Initiative, along with the support of several sponsors and an upcoming carnival at their school premises, which is open to the public.

With over Dh10,000 in sponsorships, the boys' dreams have hit the ground running.

For 17-year-old Ghose, the progress from idea to action has been rapid, but self-sustaining.

"It started small, but it has snowballed into something amazing."

Despite hectic schedules and academic constraints, the group constantly meets with sponsors, holds presentations, puts up posters, and organises events to create awareness.

Where does their energy come from?

The 15-year-old Pollock had a simple explanation: "We live in a society where we've sent people to the moon! Yet, on our own planet, about 4,500 children are dying every day from unsafe water. It's difficult to come to grips with facts like that."

According to World Health Organisation (WHO) statistics, one in six people around the world do not have access to safe drinking water.

By 2025, 1.8 billion people will be living in countries or regions with absolute water scarcity, and two-thirds of the world population could be under stress conditions, according to US-based Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Pollock said: "It sounds dramatic, but it's the reality. People look to the future and think of hovercrafts and technology. We just need to step back and look at what we have right now that we need to take care of better."

In their pioneering year, Aqua Initiative aims to raise funds for non-governmental organisations worldwide.

Based on resources, research and networking, Ghose said they later hope to focus on specific regions that are in dire need of better water sanitation systems.

"Right now, we're taking it one day at a time, and just getting a lot of young students involved. Even after Edward and I graduate, Aqua Initiative's efforts will carry on."

Ghose first decided to champion the cause in 2008, when he was inspired by Prix Pectet, the world's first prize dedicated to photography and sustainability, and their book titled Water.