YWCA Clean Water Projects

Summary

Women in a Kenyan village have brought clean drinking water to their community, eradicating disease and improving economic activity. This project's success has prompted its replication in other areas.

What is the issue, problem, or challenge?

There are 1.3 billion people in the world without safe drinking water, causing widespread disease and early death. Clean water is a basic human right. Through the leadership and support of the World YWCA, women in local communities are using their entrepreneurial skills village by village to provide access to clean water. The first water project in Kenya has already positively affected 17,000 people.

How will this project solve this problem?

The women of the village designed and planned the project, purchased and transported materials, cleared, dug channels and laid pipe. They also did fundraising and pooled community resources.

Potential Long Term Impact

The impact of the availability of clean water includes better health for everyone in the village. Women and girls' use of time will be more productive, which will translate into more economic activity for their village.

Project Message

“You should have seen the people of the village. They danced and smiled….. The whole community is happy.”
- YWCA local staff member, YWCA staff member involved in the project

Additional Documentation

This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Word file (projdoc.doc).

Resources