The Thirst Project visited Marshall University Wednesday to give a presentation on the organization.

The Thirst Project is a nonprofit organization that works to provide wells of safe drinking water to people around the world who do not have access to safe water.

There are almost 1 billion people in the world who do not have access to safe, clean water. The clean water wells cost approximately $12,000 each.

The Thirst Project was brought to the university by the John Marshall Emerging Leaders Institute and the Marshall University Bookstore. University representatives’ goal is to raise $12,000 to build a well, as well as raising awareness for the Thirst Project at the same time.

Monday through Friday, representatives will be outside the Memorial Student Center collecting donations and passing out water to students in an effort to raise awareness.

During the football game Saturday, Thirst Project representatives will be walking around the tailgates with buckets to collect donations.

The presentation Wednesday night gave participants a closer look into the Thirst Project and what they do.

Videos and pictures of people who have been affected by a lack of clean water were shown to the group.  Whether it is diseases from the contaminated water or physical injuries from carrying heavy water containers, the images showed the struggles of those 1 billion people.

Three Thirst Project presenters, who call themselves the Road Warriors, gave a presentation that lasted approximately 30 minutes. Tess Bloom, Brandon Howe and Madi Herman travel across the United States to middle schools, high schools and colleges to discuss the organization.

“Marshall University has been absolutely amazing,” Herman said.

The Road Warriors have helped the Thirst Project raise over $8 million in the past six years. One-hundred percent of the $8 million was used to give more than 260,000 people clean, safe water.

Taylor Poling can be contacted by [email protected].