Drop in the Bucket was a dream around the breakfast table one morning about 12 years ago. Who would have thought that one petite girl could get something so big, so powerful, and so helpful off the ground and what it is today. Starting from drilling a few wells at African schools in remote communities from scarce donations to installing sanitation and empowering girls to stay in school and battling to persevere on this mission even during civil unrest and war and refugee zones is exactly what Drop in the Bucket founder and CEO Stacey Dowdy Travis has done. She's now living in Uganda about as much (if not more) that she lives in her comfortable home in Los Angeles because she knows she must be there to inspect what she expects. She and husband John have literally traveled the world soliciting support and remaining dedicated to the success of this nonprofit company that provides fresh, clean drinking water and sanitation services to schools in communities in the most remote areas of Uganda and South Sudan enabling people to avoid parasite infestations, live healthier lives, and stay in school.
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I've worked in nonprofits for over 20 years and Drop in the Bucket is the most efficient and effective charity I've seen. Because they are 100% mission focused and dedicated to finding the best solutions for as many lives as they can affect, there's no waste. If it doesn't work, they don't do it. If there's no money, they find it or they don't do it. If there's a need and they are in a position to help, they do it. In my opinion, this should be the defining characteristics of of any charitable organization, but it's rarely the case. Whatever you can do to support Drop in the Bucket will go further and more directly than almost any other organization engaged in the work they're doing.
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I've witnessed the work and growth of this non-profit for several years. Having worked for mega non-profits in international development, I can attest to the fact that Drop in the Bucket is the leanest and meanest charity I've ever seen. They do more with their resources than organizations 10x their size. Their work, integrity and efficiency is unmatched in a sector where there are many players and few shining stars. The world would be a much safer, healthier place if more organizations were like them.
I highly recommend supporting Drop in the Bucket. As a long time employee of a non profit that has collaborated with them on dozens of water and sanitation projects in Uganda and South Sudan, I can attest to the dedication and impact of their work.
We are currently working with them to help support new wells for the Palabek Refugee Settlement in Northern Uganda. Every day, between 2,000 and 4,000 people cross the border from South Sudan to Uganda seeking nothing more than survival. Drop in the Bucket has teams perfectly positioned to help with the crisis.
Drop in the Bucket continues to be a valuable partner to us and we hope to continue including them in our program for many years to come!
Drop in the Bucket is run by amazing people with a very altruistic approach to how they run their nonprofit. Their leadership is focused and their money is spent wisely with a focus on immeadiate issues while looking at long lasting solutions.
I was drawn to Drop in the Bucket because of their genuine, no-nonsense grassroots approach to getting relief to the people that need it most. It's a small but mighty non-denominational charity that really changes people's lives and why I wholeheartedly support their efforts. Great people, dedicated staff and clearly getting the intended results of their campaigns. Drop is a win.
As a repeated donor to Drop In The Bucket I am amazed at the work they do in Uganda and South Sudan. They are a transparent charity who have the steps in place to not only solve an immediate, deadly problem, but to also help the village(s) uplift themselves by various practices that allow for more of the youth to receive education.
Numerous water wells they have built have been active in communities for over a decade, providing clean, safe drinking water for generations .
I am proud to call myself a supporter of DROP.
When I walked into a café in Los Angeles anxiously anticipating a job interview with the President and Co-Founder of Drop in the Bucket, I did not know that moment would highlight Drop in the Bucket’s personality and mission. I was welcomed in to the non-profit casually and excitedly, as what defined the rest of my time there. We talked for a few hours about DROP and my potential role within the organization. Somehow, every sentence phrased dictated that the work DROP does in East Africa is vital for communities in need, and yet, also not needed, because the people they help are these amazing, vivacious, and innovative doers. Yes, many individuals in rural Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and South Sudan do not have clean running water, which affects their ability to stay healthy and become educated due to demanding and strenuous hours walking to get water that is oftentimes dirty from hand-dug wells. And yes, these people deserve the basic human rights of clean water and an education. But, the people DROP works with are not these swollen-belly, hands-out-begging-for-money type of people we should pity. DROP helps East African people because they are just like everyone else in the world and they deserve what we all deserve. Through the language DROP uses and the actual work done on the ground, DROP is trying to change the perception of Africa, bring awareness to everyone about the ongoing crisis, provide people with their deserved rights of clean water and education, and thus, make the world a better place.
DROP’s tireless efforts to raise money and to implement innovative solutions to the water crisis in East Africa are not without intelligent thinking and creative partnerships between people. DROP works directly with communities and schools asking what best works for each individual site, rather than taking a top-down, “this is what they all need” approach. Communities even have to set up savings organizations in which they learn about finances and loans, before DROP drills wells. This then translates into a long-term solution. Communities now have their own savings, in which they can repair wells when they inevitably break, hire people directly from their area, and even allow people the opportunities to start small business ventures, circling around to having complete self-sustainment. DROP uses this beautiful and necessary method of self-sustainment, which all non-profits should be doing. Drop in the Bucket is an organization that truly strives to help people who deserve everything we all deserve in this world.
I read reviews when I want to support a cause based organization, largely because I want to make sure my hard earned dollars are actually being used in the way I intend. This is funny to me, because I realize that although I read reviews all the time, I seldom take the time to write them. I do here realize now that my review could actually be read by someone like myself, who just wants to do a little more research. For this reason, I'm going to take that extra time to post this, because it's important. Drop In the Bucket is as authentic as it gets and is most worthy of all our support.
Drop In The Bucket is a well run organization with multiple, urgency based, result oriented projects, on the ground and operating at a superior level of efficiency. I found this is due to a combination of effective management, dedicated staffing, organized volunteers and most importantly - no "institutional drain" on funds. These people are boots on the ground and working directly in the field bringing immediate relief and educational support with an eye to implement long term results. It is truly grassroots at it's best and that is where I want to put my donations, In hands I trust will take the money to the field and not to some fancy dinner. I think if you take a deeper look you will see exactly what I mean.
I couldn't be happier to donate what I can here and encourage others to do the same.
Five Stars all the way.
Drop in the Bucket is an amazing organization. Primarily focused on water and sanitation, DROP's interventions also help girls to go to school and increase the general health and well being of communities. Furthermore, to support their well-drilling programs, DROP implements sustainability measures like village savings groups, water management committees, and pump mechanic training to keep the wells working- which really sets them apart from other water organizations. DROP's wells work because they give communities the tools to care and be responsible for them.
A donation to DROP is really an investment in people. DROP is dedicated to helping communities to become self-sustaining, educated, self-actualized and healthy.
Drop in the Bucket is a wonderful organization to work with. Through Drop I was able to design my own campaign to build a clean water well in Uganda. Once the funds were raised, Drop maintained communication and let me know the exact village where the well was built. I was sent pictures of the actual people that were helped and I was even given the option of choosing a word to display on the well once it was completed. The personal touch and transparency is what makes this non-profit so special.
I have been working with Drop in the Bucket for a couple years now and have found them to be an organization of genuine and hard working individuals. Their passion and strong desire to make an impact is evident. They are grassroots, have little overhead costs, and spend much of their time with the people, rather than just throwing 'aid' their way. They have full teams of locals in Uganda and South Sudan to do work, which is just a wonderful side-benefit and indicative of what they stand for. Money goes directly to the cause and I would sooner call them a partner and friend than anything else.
I work with an organization that educates students in the US about the global water crisis and inspires them to take action. Drop in the Bucket has been a fantastic partner in providing potential projects for our youth to support. The photos, information and follow up from Drop has been crucial in helping US youth see that they truly can change the world, One drop at a time!
I am the Coordinator of the Community Service Program at Greens Farms Academy in Westport, Connecticut. Last year, one of our eleventh graders gave a presentation to our upper school students on the Drop in the Bucket program as it relates to their collaborative efforts with Us International. Based on this presentation our school dedicated the proceeds from it's yearly upper school concert, "Harmony for the Homeless" to Us International (approximately $6,000) to help build wells in Africa. We are very pleased with this relationship and the end result of seeing our dollars helping students in other countries less fortunate than our own.
Drop in the Bucket is the real deal. It's such a nice feeling to know that when I donate, my money goes directly to the cause. Drop in the Bucket is THE example of a "grassroots" nonprofit organization. Everything is in house, they raise the money and dig the wells. (with a lot of details in between)
They run their business with transparency, integrity, compassion and purpose.
It has been a pleasure watching this organization grow and I am excited to see how big it can become.
They understand that People & Planet come before profit. I am a lifetime supporter of Drop in the Bucket.
I am an educator, and I often take for granted the most basic things our children have here in America (even in low SES areas). Drop in the Bucket is a fabulous organization aiming to bring basic needs to all children. What could be a more noble goal? I hope that I can one day become more of an active part and go help these children achieve all their dreams and goals!
I'm a donor and a volunteer with Drop in the Bucket. I believe whole heartedly in their mission, values, and execution. They consistently prove to me that all their efforts are focused on making the greatest impact and saving lives. I will continue to do all I can to support their endeavors and encourage others to do the same.
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I am a volunteer and donor with Drop in the Bucket. I got involved close to two years ago and have been completely impressed every step of the way. Everyone involved is passionate, driven, focused on the goal, and great to work with. The more I get involved the more I want to be involved.
I'm continually inspired by the work that's being done and the way it's being done. I have full faith and confidence that every minute or dollar I put into the organization ends up where it needs to be - saving and improving lives. I have and will continue to recruit people to join in and help Drop in the Bucket any way they can.
I admire the work that this organization does. I would love to work with them, but for now I will continue to support this organization
