The Bread and Water for Africa® WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) program supports clean water development projects in sub-Saharan Africa to access life’s most vital resources, establishes school latrine facilities to promote reliable sanitation, and teaches basic hygiene practices that protect students from infectious diseases.
At Bread and Water for Africa®, we wholeheartedly believe that access to clean water is the foundation of a thriving life. Unfortunately, millions across Africa continue to struggle to access safe drinking water.
This pressing issue not only impacts health but also hinders economic growth, education, and gender equality. We are passionate about making a difference! By focusing on ensuring access to clean water, we can significantly enhance the quality of life for communities.
In 2025, we completed 84 WASH projects benefiting more than 70,300 individuals in eight countries, including Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Zambia.
One of the standout accomplishments of 2025 was the successful implementation of a solar-powered water pump project at the CARILINO Orphanage in Kinshasa, DRC, which today provides clean water to over 5,340 students and community members.
This remarkable addition to our WASH program not only provides vital resources for the orphaned children living there but also extends its benefits to the surrounding community, promoting shared well-being. We’re excited about the positive impact it will have on the community!
Also in 2025, we expanded our WASH efforts to complete the essential school latrines we started two years earlier. We recognize that these investments are crucial for fostering a healthy, educated, and equitable society. Proper sanitation provides benefits that extend well beyond the classroom, significantly impacting health, educational success, gender equality, and the community’s overall well-being.
Our latrine projects at Masanduko Primary and Community Day Secondary Schools are particularly noteworthy, providing 1,095 students with access to clean, private, and safe sanitation facilities in Malawi.
Other WASH highlights of 2025 include:
- The completion of 15 spring water protection projects in Uganda, providing access to clean water for 1,438 households and 14 schools, benefiting over 7,190 people.
- The successful repair of 19 non-functioning wells in community centers and schools in Ethiopia, significantly improving the water supply for over 10,025 individuals.
- The completion of 11 well projects in Zambia, directly benefiting more than 5,400 members,
- The completion of 13 wells benefiting more than 6,738 individuals in Malawi. Additionally, in the country, Bread and Water for Africa® funded a solar-powered water pump that supports the daily needs of more than 2,000 residents of Gogo Village and enhances agricultural efforts through raised-drip irrigation.
- and in Sierra Leone, we successfully repaired 13 previously nonfunctional wells and constructed one new well – an initiative which has significantly enhanced water access for more than 38,177 individuals living in the surrounding communities in the Bumpe Ngao Chiefdom of Bo District.
Over the decades, the impact of Bread and Water® for Africa’s WASH initiatives in sub-Saharan Africa has been substantial. Schools have particularly benefited from these efforts, allowing students to concentrate on their education without the distractions posed by water scarcity.
A particularly notable case from Ethiopia in 2025 involved the Gena Memcha Primary School, located in the Mekit Woreda, North Wollo in the Amhara Region, a drought-stricken and arid region of the country, which operates a school feeding initiative supported by the World Food Programme (WFP). The WFP selection criteria for participating schools relies heavily on on-site water availability, which became an issue when Gena Memcha’s hand-dug well malfunctioned, threatening the school’s feeding program.
Acknowledging the pressing need for a sustainable resolution, Bread and Water for Africa® intervened by repairing the nonfunctioning well and restoring its operational capacity which was crucial in restoring the school feeding program and alleviating the daily burden on students who were being required to bring five liters (1.3 gallons) weighing more than 11 pounds to school.
As a result, students were able to focus more on their studies, leading to improved academic performance.
Beyond addressing immediate operational challenges, Bread and Water for Africa® initiatives, such as at Gena Memcha, yield long-term benefits.
All these efforts are why we proudly support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6: “Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.”
Together, we can pave the way for a brighter, healthier future for everyone!
