S&T grad Gary White visits with children in Tigray, Ethiopia. Photos courtesy of Water.org
In 1984, Gary White traveled to Guatemala with a student organization that he had established for students who wanted to volunteer for development projects around the world.
“I can still clearly see the little girl who brought the water and sanitation crisis into striking focus for me,” says White. “She had a determined expression on her face as she dipped her can into a rusty barrel of contaminated water. Heaving the can into her arms, she walked alongside a stream of open sewage back to her shack. At that moment, I knew what my life was going to be about — bringing safe drinking water to people living without it.”
White discusses his life’s work during a recent visit to the S&T campus:
White earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in civil engineering at S&T in 1985 and 1987, respectively. In 1990, he founded WaterPartners. In 2009, the thriving organization merged with actor Matt Damon’s non-profit, H20 Africa, to form Water.org. So far, White has been instrumental in transforming more than 600,000 lives in Africa, South Asia and Central America through better access to safe water and sanitation.
White and Matt Damon visit India to check on Water.org projects.
White says Water.org does more than just write checks. The organization works with certified local partners and is committed to sustainability through rigorous monitoring, evaluation and research. Water.org developed and launched a WaterCredit program to help people in developing countries get small loans, empowering them to address their own water needs.
In May 2011, Time named White and Damon to its 2011 Time 100, the magazine’s annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.
S&T: Are water quality problems and sanitation problems always intertwined?
White: Without a good understanding of the link between hygiene and disease, the health benefits of safe water and sanitation can be easily lost. Water.org holds intensive training and motivation seminars on the link between good health and good hygiene. Linking sanitation with common health concerns increases community commitment and involvement.
S&T: How did Matt Damon become involved?
White: I met Matt Damon more than two years ago in New York City, where I was introduced to him by a mutual friend. During our first conversation, we talked a lot about my idea for WaterCredit. Matt clearly brought the ability to focus the world’s attention on the crisis. That’s what prompted us to merge.
S&T: How familiar are you with Missouri S&T’s efforts in the area of water quality, through Engineers Without Borders, etc.?
White: I think it’s great that so many students are gaining international experience and turning their skills into incredible humanitarian efforts. As someone who got his start in international development work in the same way, I can relate to this. I see a lot of potential for S&T to shape students who will be positively impacting the world in the years and decades to come.
Story by Lance Feyh
Video by Terry Barner
Read more stories about Missouri S&T alumni who are making their mark on the world.
This is my dream. I want to get real world experience in order to pursue something like this in the future. Maybe building houses or treating water or something else, I don’t know. This is an inspirational read. Thanks for putting it up.
Which one is Gary?