A bottled water company, 18 Degrees Water, granted Saint Minas Childrens Home’s wish of a water tank on Saturday.

The company’s founders, Nafiz and Waheda Ali, created The Gift of Water Guild three years ago after the floods when lack of fresh water was a real issue.

The founders said they weren’t sure how they could assist the communities until they visited St Mina Children’s Home in Nadi.

“That is when we heard how the children struggled to carry water upstairs every morning in buckets and bottles just to do simple tasks such as washing and brushing their teeth,” Mr Ali said.

“Simple, everyday things that most people take for granted were a real, daily struggle without access to fresh, running water from taps.”

From then on the young couple promised the 21 children at the home that they would assist them.

The company installed a fresh water tank with pump which means that water can be accessed from the taps instead of going downstairs to fill the water.

The couple have pledged that 2.5 per cent of profits from every bottle of 18 Degrees Water will be donated to the Gift of Water Guild.

They are committed to ensuring every citizen of Fiji has access to a clean, constant water supply and by buying 18 Degrees water, locals will be helping other locals in need.

“We hope we can inspire everyone to help us give the gift of water, such a basic human need, to the communities around you,” Mr Ali said.

“We have a simple but very ambitious goal and that is to ensure every Fijian family has access to fresh water, every day.”

St Mina’s Home manager Michael Fong was delighted for a humble gift.

He said they always had difficulty because of low pressure and water cuts for days.

“Words cannot express how much this means to our service and our children,” he said.

“Having an easy water supply makes all the difference in the world in terms of health and hygiene: cooking, washing, bathing and toilet, cleaning and drinking.

“We are incredibly grateful.”

He said the kind act of the company and the young couple was an inspiration to all to work together in communities and assist one another.

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