No one organization can solve the global water crisis on its own. Because of this, open-handed knowledge sharing and thought leadership is a priority for Water Mission. To catalyze this effort, we launched and now partner with the Global Water Center (GWC) to convene, train, and resource organizations and governments around strategies and standards for water projects. We also resource the West and Central Africa Region (WCAR) Solar Hub to provide technical assistance to United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), governments, and others implementing solar-powered water systems in the region.
Global Water Center
Water Mission supports the GWC’s mission to eradicate water poverty. This year, the GWC collaborated with the government of Ghana to develop a nationally certified safe water enterprise curriculum. Individuals trained and certified through the GWC’s program will be equipped with practical, standards-based skills to deliver reliable, affordable access to safe water. Additionally, the GWC is working with Water Mission, government agencies, and other safe water organizations to develop online and in-person courses on water quality testing and water treatment. These courses will be available to organizations and government agencies in more than 30 African countries. Other courses focus on rural water supply services, risk management, and solar-powered water systems.
Water Mission is proud to partner with the GWC as it continues to support, train, and build consensus on standards for safe water projects around the world. To learn more, please visit globalwatercenter.org.
UNICEF and the WCAR Solar Hub
The need for access to safe and sustainable water services in West and Central Africa is enormous. Only 30% of the people in Sub-Saharan Africa have access to a safely managed water service. Solar-powered water systems (SPWS) are a sustainable way to resolve this need in even the most remote areas. The WCAR Solar Hub is a cooperative effort between Water Mission, UNICEF, and the GWC. We collaborate to train and support other safe water organizations on SPWS assessment, planning, design, procurement, installation, operations, maintenance, and evaluation.
The WCAR Solar Hub has created a technical help desk, provided in-person workshops and virtual trainings, and participated in on-site system inspections. Since 2020, the WCAR Solar Hub staff responded to 120 requests for technical support (70 just this past year) and conducted 14 workshops (10 in the past year). It also connected with UN agencies, nonprofits, private sector organizations, and government offices, providing new opportunities for training and technical assistance in the future.
To date, Water Mission has served more than 8 million people in 59 countries. Working together, we can improve livelihoods; increase access to climate-resilient water services for communities, schools, and healthcare facilities; and save even more lives.