GWC is partnering with Aqua-Africa to bring clean water to the African community of Maiwut, South Sudan. The $300k project will improve overall community health and gender equality. Led by a South Sudanese team, the project will bring clean water to 10,000 people, 2 schools and 1 clinic. Clean energy will be provided to the schools and clinic and a septic system will be installed at the clinic. Community members, with a focus on women, will be trained to manage the community resources.
Plagued by unrest, under-established government institutions, internal displacement, and widespread poverty, the citizens of South Sudan lack access to the most basic of services. Nearly 8 million South Sudanese do not have access to clean water - and women and girls bear the burden. In Maiwut, women and girls are responsible for water collection 93% of the time and spend 2-4 hours collecting water daily. Water collection often exposes women and girls to conflict and physical insecurity.
The project will install a water tower with distribution points in the community, 2 schools and 1 clinic. Powered by clean solar energy, the system will also supply electricity to the schools and clinic. By making clean water readily accessible for over 5,000 women and girls, the project will reduce threats to their physical security and increase opportunities for educational and income-generating pursuits. Aqua-Africa will train women and men in leadership roles to manage the new resources.
Aqua-Africa and GWC believe that water is a powerful catalyst for thriving communities and women's empowerment. South Sudan has long suffered from lack of access to basic services and gender-based violence. By providing access to basic necessities, this project aims to empower. The project will allow more girls to attend school and improve the equity of women in their community, supported by a sustainable service model that will provide water and energy for years to come.
