This is for Food and Water
Meeting Basic Needs and Improving Quality of Life
Working in Africa means embracing an open mind and heart, recognizing that before we can fulfill our mission of creating sustainable solutions to poverty through artisan partnerships, we must first address the most pressing issues communities face. At SAWA SAWA, we understand that for our artisans to thrive and produce their beautiful, hand-crafted products, they must first have their basic needs met.
Providing Food During Droughts
When drought strikes, many families in our artisan villages face food shortages that make it impossible for them to focus on anything beyond survival. In response, we provide essential food supplies to keep these communities nourished. We also share meals with the artisan groups when our team visits. Breaking bread together fosters a sense of community, creating bonds of trust and providing something to look forward to.
Your purchases make this possible, allowing us to provide dry foods like rice, flour, beans, corn, spices, salt, cooking oil, and soap. Each village has unique needs, influenced by their cultural preferences and local circumstances. By addressing these needs, we build stronger, healthier, and more resilient artisan communities.
Water Access: A Path to Health and Empowerment
Access to clean water is fundamental to a community’s health, hygiene, and well-being. In many of the villages where we work, women must walk miles to collect dirty water, exposing themselves to the dangers of wildlife attacks and waterborne diseases. This time-consuming task not only puts their health at risk but also limits their ability to create our artisan products and care for their families.
Through partnerships with other nonprofits, we have worked to provide sustainable water solutions, including the installation of wells, water tanks, and rainwater collection systems. In the Sekenani village, for example, we’ve installed gutters and water-holding tanks that collect clean rainwater for both the community and the herbivore wildlife population that coexists with the artisans. This water access not only supports the health and hygiene of the village but also creates a safer and more sustainable environment where humans and wildlife can live in harmony.
It costs $1,000 to install a rainwater collection system and tank for a home in a village. To learn more about how you can support this life-changing project, contact us here.
The Impact of Water Access on Communities
Clean water transforms lives. It reduces the spread of waterborne diseases, supports proper sanitation and hygiene, and promotes better nutrition. Healthy, empowered communities are able to thrive and focus on economic activities like creating the beautiful products you see at SAWA SAWA. When women no longer need to spend hours collecting water, they have more time to dedicate to their crafts, their families, and their communities.
Water access is not just a basic need—it is a key to empowerment. It enables women to build a healthier, more sustainable life for themselves and their families. By addressing these foundational needs, we are helping to create a future where women have the tools, time, and energy to thrive.
Join Us in Creating Sustainable Solutions
At SAWA SAWA, we are committed to meeting the basic needs of our artisan communities so they can rise above the challenges they face and focus on building sustainable futures. You can help by shopping our products or donating to support our initiatives. Each purchase you make directly contributes to food provision, water access, and overall quality of life for our artisan families.
Together, we can ensure that these communities not only survive but thrive, with better health, hygiene, sanitation, and nutrition—ultimately creating a foundation for empowerment, economic independence, and sustainability.
Help Bring Clean Water to Communities
Want to make a direct impact? Your support can help us install rainwater collection systems and holding tanks in artisan villages, providing life-saving water to families and wildlife alike. To learn more about how you can help, contact us here.
By partnering with us, you become part of a movement that is changing lives in Kenya, creating healthier, safer, and more empowered communities—one drop at a time.
