British charity raises funds in UAE for clean water in Africa

A British charity that provides clean water in Tanzania’s northwestern Kagera region is raising funds in the UAE after celebrating the construction of its 100th well in the East African country.

The Poverty Relief Foundation (PRF), a Yorkshire-based charity, raises money to build much-needed wells and water tanks in remote villages.

Founder Raymond Rowan, from Bradford in Yorkshire, took the opportunity to spread the word about the foundation’s cause during a trip to visit family in Abu Dhabi. He said he would welcome donations from the UAE.

“Raising awareness of what we do is obviously key to attracting donations,” said Mr Rowan, 73, whose son, daughter and granddaughter live in the capital.

“The wells we build provide these communities with access to clean, safe water, and one of the major benefits of that is the reduction of water-borne diseases such as malaria, diarrhoea and bilharzia.”

PRF also improves education by funding new classrooms, and provides "revolving loan" facilities for groups of women to set up their own businesses. For more information or to make a donation, visit www.prf.org.uk.