Initiative aims to provide clean water in Africa

HURON TWP. — The Nelson family, owners and founders of the Sandusky-area Kalahari Resorts and Conventions, pledged to donate up to $1 million to Africa and African artists. The Nelson Family Life Foundation recently announced The Water Colors Life Project, which aims to provide clean water to those in need and asks resort guests to participate. People can visit nelsonfamilylifefoundation.org/waterproject for more information or to donate. A statement from the foundation provides additional insight: During their regular visits to Africa, the Nelson family is inspired by the beauty and spirit of the continent. Their love of Africa is shared with guests in every aspect of Kalahari Resorts and Conventions: from the handcrafted artwork on the walls to the original music throughout the resort that supports African artists and craftspeople. "The culture, spirit, craft and artistry of Africa has always inspired me and my family," said Todd Nelson, founder and CEO of Kalahari Resorts and Conventions. "We have seen firsthand how limited access to clean water has negatively impacted these African communities and knew we wanted to help." The Water Colors Life Project aims to reduce barriers to clean water for communities in Africa and African artists by drilling one borewell a month with the first three currently being established in Matopos Hills, Bulawayo and Zimbabwe. These boreholes are simple, manual pumps that will easily provide fresh and clean water. Guests of any of the four Kalahari Resorts locations can participate directly in The Water Colors Life Project by donating change in Wishing Wells at the resorts, rounding up at the point of purchase and purchasing campaign-themed water bottles. Special signage about The Water Colors LIfe Project is found throughout Kalahari Resorts and includes a QR code that links guests to more information about the project with an option to donate directly. The Nelson Family LIfe Foundation has committed to match the first 1 million dollars in donations. "More than 400 million people in sub-Saharan Africa live in a water-scarce environment," said Brad Bensman, executive director of the Nelson Family Life Foundation. "We aim to bring awareness to the struggles of African communities while inviting Kalahari's guests to participate in helping many African communities access clean and safe water."