Building Prosperity through Clean Water
“The number of people without access to water is growing in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is the only region of the world where this is happening. About 387 million people lived without access to basic drinking water services in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2020, up from 350 million people in 2000.”–WorldBank/UNICEF 2021
Millions in the developing world lack basic water and sanitation. Globally, one in three cannot access safe drinking water, two of five people cannot access basic hand-washing facilities, and more than 673 million people.–MDG 6
Water Born Diseases Often Lead to Unnecessary Death
Almost 1,000 children under 5 die each year from diarrhea from dirty water and poor toilets.
–WaterAid
Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa will never be solved until her people have access to clean water, the first building block of self-reliance.
In many African countries, 70% of all diseases are caused by unsafe drinking water and poor sanitation conditions.
43% of Ethiopians lack access to safe water, and water-borne illnesses have become the leading cause of death in children under the age of five in Ethiopia.
In Ghana alone, over six million people rely on surface water for their daily needs, and more than half lack adequate toilet facilities.
We continue to provide boreholes and other water systems in vulnerable communities to begin his basic healing process.
Teams work with local health workers to train community members on proper sanitation and hygiene protocols.
Communities appoint a water management committee.
Community members clean areas to ensure space is prepared for rehabilitation.
Water experts teach community members how to repair and maintain the asset.
Medical staff teaches communities proper hygiene and basic sanitation practices.
The Yerer Korke Clean Water Project in Ethiopia
“Access to clean water is not just a basic human right; it’s a fundamental cornerstone for unlocking families true potential and ensuring a healthier, more prosperous future for all.”
—UNICEF
Each water point, equipped with four to six faucets and will serve over 7,000 people in 25 villages.
The Yerer Korke well in Debre Zeit is part of a two-year water project to combat waterborne illnesses, accounting for 52% of families’ health issues in the area. ENA’s water team hosted a community celebration upon completion.
The water well features a hilltop reservoir and a generator, enabling community members to access water efficiently and conveniently for themselves and their cattle. ENA’s water team worked diligently with representatives from the Water Bureau to train local representatives on properly maintaining their wells.
Delivering Sustainable Solutions
Worldwide, women and girls spend an estimated 200 million hours daily collecting water. The daily average walking distance is 3.7 miles roundtrip for water, often contaminated with life-threatening diseases.
–World Vision
At ENA, we are steadfastly committed to effecting positive change in the lives of girls in their communities. Through collaborative initiatives and partnerships, we seek to implement sustainable solutions to enhance access to clean water, alleviate the burdens borne by these young girls, and empower them to pursue education and opportunities previously beyond their reach.
Transforming Communities: Delivering Clean Water in Sirigu, Ghana
“Our latest project in the Upper East Region of Ghana in partnership with ASEA marks a significant milestone in our commitment to transforming communities. With the successful completion of the wells in Sirigu, we have not only provided a vital resource but also instilled hope and improved the quality of life of hundreds of families.”
–Cecilia Amankwah ENA Country Director, Ghana
ENA’s water team successfully completed our latest clean water project in the Upper East Region of Ghana. In collaboration with the ASEA Advancing Life Foundation, we built ten clean water wells in the Kassena Nankana West District. This project now provides the residents of Sirigu with a sustainable and reliable source of clean drinking water. Beyond its functional purpose, these wells symbolize hope, health, and prosperity for the community, marking a significant milestone in our efforts to eradicate extreme poverty throughout the region.
Eradicating Disease ENA’s Clean Water Impact at FAWE School
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Engage Now Africa for their unwavering commitment to initiatives that uplift our school children. Through their support, FAWE School and its pupils now enjoy the benefits of clean water, empowering them to thrive and succeed. Thank you, Engage Now Africa, for making a difference in the lives of the pupils of FAWE Primary School.
–FAWE School Administrator
We are delighted to announce that FAWE School, serving over 500 primary and pre-primary pupils, now access clean water. This milestone is a significant step towards promoting good health and hygiene within the school community. Clean water accessibility not only fosters a healthier environment but also contributes to enhanced educational outcomes by reducing absenteeism resulting from waterborne illnesses.
The feedback from both pupils and teachers regarding the hand pump has been overwhelmingly positive, underscoring its importance in improving the overall quality of life within the school and surrounding community. The impact of this project extends far beyond the confines of the school grounds, touching the lives of families and individuals alike.
Clean Water Wells built
People with access to clean water
Latrines built
People with access to latrines
The Voices of the Poor are Not Silent to Us
Investing in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) also generates substantial economic returns of up to 700%. Every US$1 invested in climate-resilient water and sanitation returns at least US$7 for African economies. Sub-Saharan Africa alone could gain more than 5% of its GDP, equivalent to US$200bn annually if sufficient investments in water and sanitation are made.
–Matus Samel, Economist Impact
“The well is close to my village. I can get clean water and my cattle have access to the watering trough in twenty minutes. I used to spend many hours each morning taking my cattle to the river. I now have more time to farm and spend with my family.”
“I want to express my gratitude to Engage Now Africa for the incredible difference they have made in our lives. They have provided us with a hand pump in our camp, and it has brought immense relief to us all. Before the construction of this hand pump, accessing water was an arduous task for us amputees and our families. We had to go to great lengths to find water, and it was often a perilous journey. But now, with the presence of the hand pump in our camp, we can finally access clean and safe drinking water easily. This has brought us a tremendous sense of relief and joy. We are grateful.”
–Juina Kamara, Bo, Sierra Leone
“I live in a camp where there is no clean water. We used to fetch water from a stream for drinking which causes us ill health. Other times, we would lose our balance or fall because the area was swampy and slippery. We are so grateful to have a hand pump in our camp. Our community is more healthy. We now have safe and clean drinking water to cook and take care of ourselves.”
“I lived almost all my life walking long distances to fetch water from the river for the house. I dropped out of school because I’m always late to school and tied during school hours. Thanks to Engage Now Africa and ASEA Foundation for bringing clean drinking water to my community. We are grateful.”
–Amina Alhassan, Upper East Region Ghana
I am grateful for our clean well. This pump is our community’s sole source of clean water, serving over 2000 people. Before the pump, accessing clean water was a daily struggle for us. We had to travel long distances in search of water, and even then, the water we found was often contaminated and unsafe to drink. This posed a significant health risk to our community. But thanks to Engage Now Africa and their unwavering support, our lives have changed for the better. The provision of this pump has not only made clean water easily accessible, but it has also improved our overall health and well-being. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to Engage Now Africa.
–Ibrahim Koroma, Banga Farms, Bo, Sierra Leone
“Access to clean water was our biggest challenge in this community. The stream along the highway is our only source of water in this community. In the middle of the drying season, when the stream dried up, our children walked close to 3 miles in the neighboring village along the highway to access water. We have lost two brilliant young girls by accident along our highway in the process of searching for water. My community is so grateful for this pump.”
–Chief Boima, tribal head of Payeila Village, Bo, Sierra Leone
“Previously we had no water to drink. We normally walked a long distance before we got to water and then it was not clean. With the help of Engage Now Africa, we now have good water to drink. We are so thankful for the clean water our community can access.”
“Previously we had no water to drink. We normally walked a long distance before we got to water and then it was not clean. With the help of Engage Now Africa, we now have good water to drink. We are so thankful for the clean water our community can access.”
Ready to Make a Change?
Engage by donating to one of our clean water or sanitation projects.