Charity: water’s Experience Lab: A Journey into the Global Water Crisis

PHOTOS BY PARKER YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHY

Bringing the Global Water Crisis Home: charity: water’s Experience Lab Opens at The Factory in Franklin

In a world where clean water flows effortlessly from our taps, it’s easy to forget that 703 million people still lack access to this basic necessity. For millions, the daily struggle to find safe drinking water is a harsh reality that affects every aspect of their lives. Charity: water, a non-profit organization dedicated to bringing clean water to every person on the planet, has long been a leader in innovative fundraising and awareness efforts.

They have created the 100% charity model, where one hundred percent of public donations directly fund water projects, while separate private donors cover the charity’s overhead costs; The Pool, a unique way for entrepreneurs to donate private shares in their company to be liquidated to provide clean water; and the Bitcoin Trust, securing 100 Bitcoin and holding until 2025 now valued at just under $10M to fund clean water.

Charity: water’s newest innovation is The Experience Lab, a first-of-its-kind immersive storytelling space designed to bring the global water crisis to life. Funded by a single anonymous donor, The Experience Lab officially opened at the Factory in Franklin on March 22, 2025. More than just an exhibit, the Lab offers an emotionally and sensorially rich journey, following the story of a family in Uganda’s Kiryandongo District. Visitors step into the lives of 37-year-old Likiso and her two daughters, 15-year-old Esther and 10-year-old Grace, witnessing firsthand how access to clean water can transform lives.

The Experience Lab is the brainchild of Scott Harrison, founder and CEO of charity: water, a former New York City nightclub promoter whose life was transformed after volunteering on a medical ship in Liberia. Scott spent 10 years helping people get into the best clubs and worrying about which private plane he would take next. Tired of the superficial nights out, he realized he didn’t like what he was doing with his life and seized the opportunity to volunteer as a photojournalist aboard a hospital ship off the coast of Liberia, West Africa.

Witnessing the devastating impact of dirty water — the leading cause of disease in the region — he dedicated himself to solving the crisis, launching charity: water in 2006. Today, the organization has raised over $1 billion, provided clean water to 20.2 million people, and funded more than 184,000 water projects in 29 countries through partnerships with best-in-class local organizations working in their respective countries and communities.

However, there are still 703 million people without access to clean water. Harrison created The Experience Lab to accelerate this work, turning awareness into urgent action. “We believe that when people truly understand the need for clean water around the world, they’ll be inspired to engage,” says Harrison. “In a world where it’s almost impossible to have someone’s undivided attention, we use this hour to create a space where you can’t look away from the problem.”

A Journey Through the Crisis

The Experience Lab is designed to be deeply immersive, using cutting-edge technology to transport visitors into the daily lives of those who lack access to clean water. One of the most impactful features is the Water Walk, a 4D experience where visitors pick up a jerry can and walk alongside Esther as she embarks on her daily journey to fetch water. The environment– complete with heat, sights, sounds, and textures–recreates a fraction of the harsh realities of her trek. One that women and girls around the world make every day, averaging 3.7 miles each day.

Visitors then peer through a microscope to observe bacteria found in contaminated water, interact with a stunning art piece representing the colors of dirty water, and engage with a pump-styled interactive exhibit showcasing charity: water’s diverse solutions, from drilled wells and piped systems to biosand filters and rainwater catchments. Each step of the tour is designed to build a deeper understanding of both the crisis and its solutions.

The final experience in the Lab shifts focus to Grace, the younger sister of Esther. A state-of-the-art virtual reality (VR) film allows visitors to spend seven minutes immersed in her world. At first, they see her struggle to make it to school after spending her mornings fetching water. “I feel like water is ruining my life,” Grace narrates. But the experience doesn’t end in despair. Visitors witness a charity: water funded team arriving in her village, drilling a well, and seeing clean water burst from the ground for the first time. It’s a moment of hope and transformation that drives home the profound impact of access to clean water.

More Than an Exhibit—A Call to Action

The Experience Lab is designed not only to educate but also to inspire action. By the end of their visit, guests are encouraged to take practical steps to help end the global water crisis—by giving every month as a member of The Spring for as little as $10/month, sponsoring an entire water project for $10,000, or taking a kid’s piggy bank to raise funds and awareness as a family. The impact has already been significant.

Visitors to The Experience Lab have been raving about the experience, highlighting the impact that they’ve been able to feel in their Tennessee hometown. “The lab opened my children’s eyes to the reality of the water crisis affecting 10% of the world,” says Shanda Damphouse. “It transformed their understanding into empathy and action, inspiring them to donate and become part of the solution.”

Among the many who have been moved to action is Hudson Dyer, a young boy who was so inspired by his visit that he started his fundraiser. On opening night, charity: water announced that Hudson had raised $10,000—enough to fully fund a water project for an entire community. “Seeing people like Hudson take immediate action gives us hope that we can solve this crisis in our lifetime,” says Ben Greene, Chief Revenue Officer of charity: water.

A Gift to Franklin’s Community

For the Franklin community, The Experience Lab is more than just an attraction—it’s an opportunity for families to bond over a shared mission. The interactive elements engage both children and adults, fostering a deeper understanding of global issues and a renewed sense of empathy. The Lab also serves as a model for the future of immersive philanthropy, a concept that Harrison envisions expanding beyond Franklin. “Imagine you’re at the airport, and you see a VR booth: Flight delayed? Take seven minutes going to Africa and back,” he says. “This is just the beginning.”

Visit The Experience Lab by charity: water, located on the second-floor mezzanine at The Factory at Franklin, near the stairs at Johnnie-O. To learn more or plan your visit, go to charitywater.org/experience. Follow them on social media at @theexperience.lab.

BRADY JOSEPHSON is the VP of Marketing & Growth at charity: water, the world’s leading clean water nonprofit. He’s also a charity nerd, adoptive dad, and 5X fantasy baseball league champion. Brady navigates the intersection of nonprofit strategy, digital marketing, and fundraising, leveraging his extensive experience to drive growth and amplify the organization’s mission to bring clean water to every person.