Our approach to the water crisis in Uganda.
Our Approach
Clean
Water
It all starts with clean, accessible water. We believe clean water is the single most important factor in the overall health of a community. It’s not enough for it to be clean, it has to be accessible so that the hourly walk for water can be shortened to minutes. The time saved is essential for the economic development, health and educational opportunities of each community.
Community
Engagement
We engage in an equal partnership with local communities because we believe that each person has a valuable impact on community development. Our community education team works throughout the year to raise awareness about projects, meet with local leaders, begin health and sanitation education and start recruiting hundreds of volunteers needed for each project.
Sanitation & Hygiene
at Schools
Clean water taps and latrine blocks at schools are a simple resource combination that have a profound impact on an entire community. These two things instantly improve girls’ education, safety, and dignity. Students and teachers become educators of Water and Sanitation Health (WASH) in their homes and communities!
Household-to-Community
Transformation
Each community receives at least 12 months of intensive water, health and sanitation training, along with the skills needed to care for the system for the long term. Each home is trained on how to build a pit latrine, dry rack for their dishes and a safe place for their food storage. Safe, hygienic household practices raise community living standards, one household at a time.
Monitoring
& Evaluation
We are intentional about scrutinising our own work. Evidence-based monitoring and evaluation means that we are regularly gathering data for evidence of our impact on a community. We strive to see reduced levels of waterborne disease and improved standards of living. We don’t assume that life is improving in the villages due to our work—we prove it!
Our Approach’s Gravity Flow Systems
Our approach uses Gravity Flow Systems to provide clean water to a wide range of villages and communities in Uganda. We find a water spring source in the hills above the communities in need, monitor that source for about 5 years to ensure it is sustainable even in a drought. We then protect the source, then build a network of pipelines, reservoirs, and accessible tap stands to give clean water to several villages. Once the system has been created, no manual labour (such as pumping water) is required. Gravity does the work for us.
The Source
Located in the hills above the villages we work in, these clean water springs bubble up from underground at a flow rate of 0.7 to 3 litres a second.
Village or Trading Centre
Anywhere from 4,000 up to 25,000 people will have access to clean water from one of our Gravity Flow Systems.
Concrete Reservoir
Reservoirs of up to 20,000 litres control water pressure and provide emergency supply in the event of a temporary reduction in water flow.
Tap Stand
Tap stands are often located in front of schools and clinics, strategically placed so no village member has to walk more than 500 metres to reach clean, safe water.
Each system uses between 5 and 90 kilometres of pipeline which is buried three feet underground for protection.