BeyondWater - A charity that provides clean drinking water and sanitation facilities in Africa

Pete was abandoned by his birth parents and then adopted into ablended family in New Zealand. He struggled at school due to having dyslexia then embarked on a journey of practical jobs such as farming and sales. In adulthood, he returned to study at a tertiary level. In 1987, Pete married Sharon and they were youth workers for the next 16 years. In 2002 they moved to Sydney, Australia. There Pete entered the construction and building industry. Eventually he started his ownbusiness that involved landscaping, redecorating houses and upkeep of apartments. He and Sharon co-founded BeyondWater, a charity that provides clean drinking water and sanitation facilities across East Africa.

Starting in 2007 they have improved the lives of over 100,000 people.Within BeyondWater Pete oversees the community development program as well as financial excellence. He makes sure the money is spent where it should, in a timely manner, on a project of good quality. His role involves working in schools and organisations educating them about water harvesting, irrigation and the scarcity of water across East Africa.In his down time Pete likes travelling, enjoying a good latte and watching NRL.

Sharon was raised in the same town as Pete but did not get to know him until she was 16. Raised in a turbulent family she moved out of home early and started a working career. While her primary role was to raise their two girls, Sharon was an equal in with Pete in their youth work.Sharon became a conference speaker, specialising in talking to parents of special needs children.

In 2009 Sharon completed her MBA, while working in the education sector and starting BeyondWater. In 2013, the Creans received a Rotary Humanitarian Award for their work in Africa. Sharon is the CEO of BeyondWater and is the primary driving force behind the organisation. Her role is to build an international team, oversee projects and ensure that the necessary funds are raised.
Photography, especially wildlife, is Sharon’s other passion.

Sharon and Pete have a vision to expand the work into other East African countries and to raise volunteers who can be effective in their own country. Since 2012 Pete & Sharon have been based in Nairobi, Kenya.
sharoncrean@beyondwater.global www.beyondwater.global