Skip to main content Part of complete coverage on  Matt Damon's
most challenging role: Tackling the global water crisis  By Ian
McKenna, CNN updated 3:23 PM EST, Mon January 13, 2014   • 780
million people lack access to clean water   • Matt Damon and
Gary White co-founded in 2009   • Charity helps people access
clean water and sanitation facilities through a loan program   •
171 children die from a water related disease every hour  (CNN)
-- Believe it or not, more people in the world have a cellphone
than access to a toilet. That's according to, a charity co-
founded by actor Matt Damon.  "I was just shocked by this
because I couldn't even relate to it," says the Oscar winner.
"As an American -- like, water? There's the kitchen sink, the
bathroom sink -- you know -- there's water."  "Every 20 seconds
a little kid, a child dies because they lack access to clean
water and sanitation. Every 20 seconds."  Damon, father of four
daughters, says, "Once you have kids it's impossible not to see
their face in every chi