Water Matters

The latest on our work and those supporting it



From Taboo to Action: Addressing the Global Sanitation Crisis


Wednesday, November 20th, 2024by Jamie Heminway

November 19th was World Toilet Day, inaugurated to address the world’s ongoing sanitation crisis.

 

How much water should you really drink to stay hydrated?


Thursday, November 7th, 2024by Jamie Heminway

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to be medical advice and was not written by a medical professional. Please consult with your doctor about the best level of hydration for your body. For a while, it seemed like the media, celebrities, and even health professionals were all on a “drink more water” crusade. Drinking extra […]

 

Reflections on the UNC Conference: Collaboration and Insights for a Water-Secure Future


Wednesday, November 6th, 2024by Jamie Heminway, Spencer Bogle, Emma Kelly, Allison Gregory

Back in October, four members of The Water Project’s (TWP) staff attended the internationally recognized University of North Carolina (UNC) Water and Health Conference in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. As a Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) non-profit, The Water Project always gains significant knowledge from this conference, and this year was no different.  Below are […]

 

A Hand Up, Not a Handout: Why Water Access Changes Everything


Wednesday, October 30th, 2024by Jamie Heminway

Imagine it’s morning. You go to brush your teeth, make coffee, or start a shower — but there’s no water. In our modern world, it’s an inconvenience, sure, but it’s solvable. If your tap runs dry, you have options: you can pick up bottled water from a store, head to a friend’s place, or even […]

 

The Multi-Sided Story of Palm Oil


Wednesday, October 23rd, 2024by Jamie Heminway

In the United States, we have a knee-jerk negative reaction to palm oil because of its negative press. People in our culture have been trained to think that palm oil is bad for our bodies and the environment.  However, in many communities around the world, including Sierra Leone, palm oil production is a crucial source […]

 

Global Handwashing Day 2024


Wednesday, October 16th, 2024by Jamie Heminway

In honor of yesterday’s Global Handwashing Day, we’re highlighting how we train community members to wash their hands in Western Kenya — and why handwashing is so important.  Often, when we first enter a community, we’ll find that the community hasn’t been washing their hands effectively, as is the case in the video below.  In […]

 

International Day of the Girl Child: “It’s time to listen to girls.”


Wednesday, October 9th, 2024by Jacklyne Chelagat

Girls need allies who listen to and respond to their needs. The Water Project ensures that girls secure their dreams by providing access to clean and safe water in school.

 

When There Isn’t Enough Water to Stay Clean


Wednesday, October 2nd, 2024by Jamie Heminway

Life without ready access to clean water is tough for many reasons. Without water, it becomes difficult for people to keep themselves and their environments clean. This, in turn, infects people with hygiene-related diseases and hurts people’s dignity and sense of self.

 

What is a scoop hole?


Wednesday, September 25th, 2024by Jamie Heminway

Scoop holes are common where The Water Project works in sub-Saharan Africa, but other parts of the world will likely never have heard of one. Although you can infer a lot from the name itself, it doesn’t tell the whole story. A scoop hole is a shallow hole dug down into the ground to access […]

 

Zero Emissions Day: How Solar Technology Can Effectively Replace Diesel Pumps for Water Distribution


Saturday, September 21st, 2024by Jamie Heminway

Today is Zero Emissions Day, an occasion to remind us all of the harmful effects of carbon emissions on our Earth. To celebrate, we thought we’d highlight our increasing work on solar-pumped water projects. In 2025, we’re planning two solar projects, both at healthcare facilities: one in Sierra Leone, and the other in Western Kenya. […]