Frequently Asked Questions

100% of funds raised through symbolic gift purchases at www.giftsofwater.ca go toward supporting specific WaterCan projects in sub-Saharan Africa. We pool your gift with the gifts of others in order to meet the urgent need for clean water in a community or at a school, thereby helping hundreds or even thousands. The current Gifts of Water project is outlined here. Once enough funds have been raised for the designated project, a new one is assigned. So, no matter which gift you choose, you'll be helping transform lives.

Gifts made through Gifts of Water are donations to WaterCan. The values and gift items described in our interactive village are representative of our many clean water and sanitation projects throughout eastern Africa. The use of each gift is restricted only in terms of the project that it helps to support.

The cost of each gift item is an approximation only as costs of all hardware and software components of WaterCan projects vary and fluctuate according to local market trends, location and availability. Every year we ask our partner organizations in Africa to give us a list of the costs of items in the country they work in. The prices vary considerably between countries and sometimes even by the regions in each country. We use an average of these costs. Sometimes the original price point is divided or multiplied to show the amount for more than one item e.g. 3 taps, or 1 foot of a well.

WaterCan requests project proposals from our partner organizations in eastern Africa. Partners then work with local governments, community members, school personnel and other key stakeholders to select beneficiary villages and/or schools as well as determine the types of projects to be implemented. WaterCan monitors and evaluates the projects systematically.

They'll receive a beautiful animated e-card synchronized to traditional African music notifying them that a Gift of Water has been given in their name. You are provided with a choice of three different e-cards.

The e-card is sent automatically and directly to the recipient email address of your choice.

Yes. You have the opportunity to write a personal message on your e-card during the secure checkout process.

No. Currently each gift receives one individual e-card. So, if you purchase two latrine stalls, for example, you get to send two e-cards.

E-cards are sent automatically and immediately on the date you choose as part of the checkout process.

If for some reason your e-card does not arrive, please send an email to info@watercan.com or call 613-230-5182 or 1-800-370-5658.

WaterCan uses an encryption to protect the transfer of personal and financial information between your browser and our servers. When using WaterCan's registration and donation pages, a small lock or key symbol in the status bar of your browser indicates that you are connected securely. Personal information and financial transactions are stored on our secure database server. Stringent security guidelines are in place to protect this data, and its use and release. For all other questions regarding privacy and how personal information is governed and managed by WaterCan please contact us at 1.800. 370.5658.

When you purchase Gifts of Water, you are making a donation to WaterCan. This makes you eligible for a tax credit. Once you have completed your purchase, we will issue a tax receipt in your name. It is sent to you electronically within moments of completing the purchase.

Providing your email address allows us to reduce our costs, eliminates tax-receipt errors, and ensures that you get your electronic tax receipt immediately. WaterCan respects your privacy. We will not use your email address to contact you at future dates unless you have given us express written permission. We will not release any donor information to outside sources under any circumstances.

Gifts of Water are meaningful gifts to celebrate all occasions, such as weddings, birthdays, and anniversaries. They also make perfect gifts for the holidays or anytime that you want to express your respect, gratitude, condolences, congratulations or support to family, friends or colleagues. You can customize our e-cards for any occasion by writing a personal message to the recipient.

You can purchase one or several Gifts of Water on our website using your credit card. Visit www.giftsofwater.ca

During the purchasing process you are given the option of receiving electronic updates on the status of the Gifts of Water project you've helped to fund through your symbolic gift purchase. It's powerful and rewarding to see your gift in action and to share the encouraging updates with family and friends.