Water poverty is one of the most pressing crises in the world, and one local organization is aiming to help reverse it.
Acts for Water, a Richmond-based organization, is helping kids and families in Ugandan villages get access to clean water while teaching them how to make soap to combat COVID-19.
The group, which has a team working in Uganda, had been building hand-washing stations, doing soap distribution, teaching handwashing and social distancing in March.
That is until COVID-19 hit.
The project was put on hold until government restrictions loosened mid-May, and the team was able to head back in the villages to help finish building clean and safe latrines at the schools for the kids, according to Jeff Golby, CEO of Acts for Water.
Acts for Water held an “exercise of empathy” last summer in Steveston to share knowledge about the lack of clean water in Uganda. Funds raised during the event went towards the current project in Uganda.
“The importance of clean water and handwashing has never been more relevant or ‘real’ in people’s minds here in Richmond than it is now,” said Golby.
“Whenever we come home from grocery shopping or an errand, it’s the first thing we do – we clean our hands or reach for sanitizer.”
Golby told the Richmond News that teaching kids about handwashing has been a priority -- as has teaching them how to make soap.
“We’re not just handing out soap but giving people the skills and ability to defend themselves against these illnesses and to ultimately thrive.”
With the appearance of COVID-19, said Golby, the Uganda team has been working with their government to leverage clean water, which was provided to them through donations from the Richmond community.
Meanwhile, kids and families are being taught how handwashing and social distancing are important steps in defending against the pandemic.
“These small acts taken by people here in Richmond last September are having a big impact on real people even in this time in Uganda, even now,” said Golby.
“The heart of this is essentially trying to encourage (the Richmond community) and give them a bigger perspective than the immediate ‘Richmond (and) Canada’ and to show that their actions made a difference.”
Acts for Water is an organization with 30 years of history in fundraising for clean and accessible water in Uganda.
