By Thomas Vandenberg | Project Manager
We can't belive we are already in April!
The first few months have been focused on tightening the systems we put in place last year and turning early learnings into something more repeatable. We’ve made solid progress on the “community toolkit” pilot, moving it from a rough concept into something that’s actually being used in the field. A small group of volunteers has been working through it in real time, and their feedback has helped us simplify a few sections and make the guidance more practical. It’s starting to feel less like a draft and more like a tool we can confidently hand off.
On the ground, we’ve also spent time checking in on a couple of existing sites. Rather than launching new projects right away, the emphasis has been on durability—making sure the systems are holding up, local teams feel supported, and any small issues are addressed before they become bigger ones. That shift has already surfaced a handful of adjustments, particularly around maintenance routines and communication loops, that we’re now building back into the broader model. We’ve also begun capturing a few early stories from families using the water systems. Even in these initial conversations, there’s a noticeable difference in how people talk about their day-to-day—less time spent collecting water, more consistency, fewer unknowns. It’s a reminder that while the infrastructure matters, the real impact shows up in small, everyday changes.
Looking ahead to the next stretch of the year, the focus is on continuing to refine what’s working, expanding the toolkit to a slightly wider group, and planning another visit with a more intentional “listen and learn” approach. If the first quarter is any indication, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of sharpening, not just scaling and that’s exactly where we need to be.
By Thomas Vandenberg | Project Manager
By Thomas Vandenberg | Project Manager
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