Delivering sustainable Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programmes
Water-Share Ireland is an alliance of Irish water sector stakeholders collaborating with GOAL to deliver sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) programmes to vulnerable communities in developing countries. WASH programmes are vital for the well-being of communities across the globe. Everyone needs clean, safe water for drinking, cooking and washing.
This strategic collaboration incorporates funding, technical resources and expertise.
Why Water-Share?
Water-Share Ireland members are helping to amplify GOAL’s WASH programming in the world's most vulnerable communities. By tapping into the talent, commitment and generosity of their employees Irish companies are helping to transform thousands of lives every day.
In the words of Jerry Grant, Founder, Water-Share Ireland, "My visits to Uganda and Sierra Leone with GOAL highlighted how this collaboration, using the skills and expertise of the sector, can deliver major benefits in terms of drinking water supply, faecal sludge management, training and capability building in rural communities.
The impact of the collaboration hit home when I visited the Macca community in Sierra Leone and the community leader pointed to the smiling healthy children who before were constantly falling ill and not thriving.
The problem in numbers
Every 2 mins
a child dies from a preventable diarrhoea-related disease
2 billion
people lack access to safe drinking water
3.6 billion
people lack access to safe sanitation
494 billion
people are forced to practice open defecation
In its delivery of basic services to communities who need them, Water-Share Ireland gives sector companies and staff a unique opportunity for cross-sector collaboration, benefitting both recipient communities and those contributing to the work.”
Key Achievements
- Technical design of rural water systems in Uganda and Zimbabwe
- First ever ‘pilot’ faecal sludge treatment system in Freetown, Sierra Leone
- First phase of a major rural water project in southeast Uganda
Partnering for Impact
Thanks to fantastic support from the Irish water industry, both public and private, significant progress has been made since 2019:
- €90,000 raised from 11 private sector companies and the Association of Consulting Engineers of Ireland
- Additional benefit-in-kind and invaluable staff contributions, valued at approximately €40,000, from a further 6 companies
- Successful projects completed in Uganda, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe
- Expertise volunteered from staff at Irish Water, Nicholas O’Dwyer Ltd, JB Barry & Partners Ltd, RPS Group, Ryan Hanley, FLI Group, Veolia and others.
Want to Get Involved?
Water-Share Ireland are seeking new members from the public and private sector to reach more families with life saving support. In 2022 we hope to raise an additional €60,000 to improve access to water and sanitation services in the world's most vulnerable communities.
Please contact Jerry or John today to find out how your company can help transform lives.
Jerry Grant
watershare@jerrygrant.ie
+353 87 234 9554
John Gowen
watershare@goal.ie
+353 89 463 0953
