Meet Frida of Emukoye, Kenya

Frida Mumbwe described her vision of water at her home as “freedom.” The announcement of a new water system in Emukoye, Kenya was met with strong emotions—joy, gratitude, singing, dancing, thanks to God, and tears. During a recent visit, Frida shared her experience walking for water and her gratitude for a new water project. “I […]

Youth Spotlight: Global Fellows Honduras Trip

YOUTH SPOTLIGHT: Global Fellows Water1st Global Fellows traveled to Honduras with us to learn about the global water crisis and sustainable solutions. The 14 high school students were selected to participate in a global development experience in our project communities. Global Fellows Carolyn Davis, Colson Struss, and Lake Barrett share their reflections from the trip […]

Highlights of Honduras Water Tour 2023

VIVA HONDURAS! A group of Water1st supporters from Seattle, Portland, Boston, and Barcelona traveled to Honduras with us last month. We visited project communities in Lempira, a rural region of southwest Honduras. The hospitality and warmth of the community members and extraordinary work of our Honduras partner organization COCEPRADIL, as well as the beautiful pine […]

From the Field: Meet the inspiring leaders of Dargah Sharif, Bangladesh

Empowering Community Leaders Meet the leaders of Dargah Sharif, a neighborhood of Khulna, Bangladesh, home to 3,000 people. This committee was organized and trained by our local partner Dushtha Shasthya Kendra (DSK) to address the water & sanitation needs of their community and, in the committee’s words, ‘to reduce inequality.’ Their accomplishments are inspiring. Seeking […]

Decentralized wastewater treatment R&D

Visit the community of Tarabo, Bangladesh: “Now we feel good about our neighborhood.” Only 2% of wastewater for 18 million people living in Dhaka is treated before discharge to waterways Over 18 million people live in the Dhaka metro area, with 4 million living in informal housing surrounding the city. Dhaka is located on the […]

Doña Lidia: We are different now than before. We feel differently about ourselves.

Before the town of San Pedrito completed their water project, Doña Lidia spent her days trekking up and down steep mountain trails to find water. Now their new water system pipes water to every home, school, and clinic—for 24/7 access to safe water, a toilet, and a shower. When Doña Lidia’s community’s project was completed […]

Honoring our 2021 Water Ambassador: Russ Garrison and the Garrison Family

Water1st is built upon the belief that the global water and sanitation crisis can be solved by building a community of concerned people who take simple and effective actions together. Each year, our Give Water Give Life benefit brings the Water1st community together to celebrate what has been achieved, and to chart our course for […]

Youth Spotlight: Why youth board member Lily walks

Too often, I take for granted the luxury of water and overlook the fact that billions of people lack access to this human right. I believe that all individuals deserve the resources and the opportunity to reach their potential. In high school, I was introduced to Water1st, a non-profit organization dedicated to combating the global […]

Empowered women empower women

On International Women’s Day we applaud the women who literally move mountains to make our water projects a reality. These are the women who hold their families together with unfathomably scarce resources, and who spend their days carrying every drop of water their families use. These same women work tirelessly to support our water projects. […]

Dina’s story | water changes everything

Our Founder & Executive Director first met Dina in 1996 in the small mountainside community of Los Sorrianos in western Honduras. As a bright and vivacious four year-old, Dina spent her days collecting water with her mother. The following year, with the support of our local partner, COCEPRADIL, the Los Sorrianos water project was completed. […]

Test form

Let’s Build Toilets People Will Use

Dezenove de Outubre, Mozambique is located in the Cabo Delgado region, on the side of a paved road to Tanzania, where several long-distance buses make pit stops each day. During a 2017 visit, one community member told me that he is ashamed when the buses stop, as it allows outsiders to see how they live. […]

People Without Clean Water Need Smart Investments

In remote and impoverished communities around the world, I’ve heard new water systems described as a dream come true, winning the lottery, and God touching the Earth. There is no under-estimating the significance of the end to the all-consuming daily walk for water. Over 2 billion people still lack access to water that is safe […]

Honoring our 2020 Water Ambassador: John Crossman

Each year we recognize a member of our community whose contributions to our work are remarkable. This year we are honored to celebrate John Crossman as our 2020 Water Ambassador. John’s brilliant mind and unique background contribute to the invaluable support he has provided us over the past fifteen years – from his service in […]

Project Community Update | the impact of COVID-19

The leadership of our partners during this unprecedented pandemic has proven nothing short of extraordinary. The effective and unified actions of our in-country partners are protecting our project regions and saving lives. They are demonstrating the multitude of ways in which trusted leaders can mobilize and protect a community through effective messaging—this influence doesn’t happen […]

Update from Bangladesh | Be inspired

The urban slum communities we support in Bangladesh consist of hard-working rickshaw drivers, domestic workers, and other low-wage earners. They survive one day at a time, without personal savings or a safety net. When their work is disrupted by a pandemic, their families are instantly impacted and at great risk. Our partner organization, DSK, is […]