Through a series of medical mission trips from 1992 to 1995, the Gift of Water founders discovered the root cause of many illnesses in Haiti could be traced to contaminated water and lack of resources to purify that water. The founders researched low-cost water purification systems and found an effective two-bucket home based system invented by the British military in 1800’s. With a small amount of engineering and updating materials, they were able to create a modern day version that was low cost and durable. In May 1995, Gift of Water was incorporated with the vision of providing low cost water purifying technologies to developing countries. With its focus primarily on Haiti, Gift of Water first distributed purifiers in Campeche Dumay. This pilot program in 1996 was successful and over the course of the next few years Gift of Water established a production facility in Dumay and expanded distribution of its purifiers to Les Palmes, Barassa and other Haitian communities.
In 2002, Gift of Water received a significant grant allowing it to expand its manufacturing operations and service more Haitian communities. By 2004, Gift of Water was operational in more than 45 communities throughout Haiti.
