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  • #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp<br />
Cannon Ball, North Dakota<br />
September 2016<br />
Photo by Sunshine Velasco | Survival Media Agency
    #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp_29788197...jpg
  • #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp<br />
Cannon Ball, North Dakota<br />
September 2016<br />
Photo by Sunshine Velasco | Survival Media Agency
    #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp_29531058...jpg
  • #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp<br />
Cannon Ball, North Dakota<br />
September 2016<br />
Photo by Sunshine Velasco | Survival Media Agency
    #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp_29197529...jpg
  • #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp<br />
Cannon Ball, North Dakota<br />
September 2016<br />
Photo by Sunshine Velasco | Survival Media Agency
    #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp_29823833...jpg
  • #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp<br />
Cannon Ball, North Dakota<br />
September 2016<br />
Photo by Sunshine Velasco | Survival Media Agency
    #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp_29823825...jpg
  • #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp<br />
Cannon Ball, North Dakota<br />
September 2016<br />
Photo by Sunshine Velasco | Survival Media Agency
    #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp_29823816...jpg
  • #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp<br />
Cannon Ball, North Dakota<br />
September 2016<br />
Photo by Sunshine Velasco | Survival Media Agency
    #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp_29823809...jpg
  • #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp<br />
Cannon Ball, North Dakota<br />
September 2016<br />
Photo by Sunshine Velasco | Survival Media Agency
    #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp_29823804...jpg
  • #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp<br />
Cannon Ball, North Dakota<br />
September 2016<br />
Photo by Sunshine Velasco | Survival Media Agency
    #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp_29788197...jpg
  • #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp<br />
Cannon Ball, North Dakota<br />
September 2016<br />
Photo by Sunshine Velasco | Survival Media Agency
    #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp_29710805...jpg
  • #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp<br />
Cannon Ball, North Dakota<br />
September 2016<br />
Photo by Sunshine Velasco | Survival Media Agency
    #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp_29197545...jpg
  • #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp<br />
Cannon Ball, North Dakota<br />
September 2016<br />
Photo by Sunshine Velasco | Survival Media Agency
    #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp_29196217...jpg
  • #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp<br />
Cannon Ball, North Dakota<br />
September 2016<br />
Photo by Sunshine Velasco | Survival Media Agency
    nodapl---sacred-stone-camp_298238400...jpg
  • #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp<br />
Cannon Ball, North Dakota<br />
September 2016<br />
Photo by Sunshine Velasco | Survival Media Agency
    nodapl---sacred-stone-camp_298238211...jpg
  • #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp<br />
Cannon Ball, North Dakota<br />
September 2016<br />
Photo by Sunshine Velasco | Survival Media Agency
    nodapl---sacred-stone-camp_298238172...jpg
  • #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp<br />
Cannon Ball, North Dakota<br />
September 2016<br />
Photo by Sunshine Velasco | Survival Media Agency
    nodapl---sacred-stone-camp_298238133...jpg
  • #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp<br />
Cannon Ball, North Dakota<br />
September 2016<br />
Photo by Sunshine Velasco | Survival Media Agency
    nodapl---sacred-stone-camp_298238090...jpg
  • #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp<br />
Cannon Ball, North Dakota<br />
September 2016<br />
Photo by Sunshine Velasco | Survival Media Agency
    nodapl---sacred-stone-camp_297108070...jpg
  • #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp<br />
Cannon Ball, North Dakota<br />
September 2016<br />
Photo by Sunshine Velasco | Survival Media Agency
    nodapl---sacred-stone-camp_297108056...jpg
  • #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp<br />
Cannon Ball, North Dakota<br />
September 2016<br />
Photo by Sunshine Velasco | Survival Media Agency
    nodapl---sacred-stone-camp_295310572...jpg
  • #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp<br />
Cannon Ball, North Dakota<br />
September 2016<br />
Photo by Sunshine Velasco | Survival Media Agency
    nodapl---sacred-stone-camp_295310558...jpg
  • #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp<br />
Cannon Ball, North Dakota<br />
September 2016<br />
Photo by Sunshine Velasco | Survival Media Agency
    nodapl---sacred-stone-camp_291975435...jpg
  • #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp<br />
Cannon Ball, North Dakota<br />
September 2016<br />
Photo by Sunshine Velasco | Survival Media Agency
    nodapl---sacred-stone-camp_291975449...jpg
  • #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp<br />
Cannon Ball, North Dakota<br />
September 2016<br />
Photo by Sunshine Velasco | Survival Media Agency
    nodapl---sacred-stone-camp_291975379...jpg
  • #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp<br />
Cannon Ball, North Dakota<br />
September 2016<br />
Photo by Sunshine Velasco | Survival Media Agency
    #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp_30584785...jpg
  • Coffee beans are usually grown in highlands in Kenya and are an important cash crop. They are also flourishing on farms in Machakos.<br />
<br />
Photo By: Joe Lukhovi
    Coffee Beans_7173832969_o.jpg
  • Kibera, Nairobi - On Nov 22nd 2012: Naim Kalunda leaves home in the morning for school. This has been a routine for him and he has learn to undertake this kind of lifestyle. Initially he would leave home not that early in the morning because the class was not lit enough to allow him and his classmates to conduct their study easily.<br />
<br />
Photo: Joe Lukhovi
    Leaving home_8266306751_o.jpg
  • The Thar Desert, Rajasthan India_804...jpg
  • The Thar Desert, Rajasthan India_804...jpg
  • Kibera, Nairobi - On Nov 22nd 2012: Achieng christine Awuor notes that  "We take for granted our electric lights, windows and skylights to access the sun's glow, but for those living in shanties with corrugated-metal roofs, a stray ray is welcome, and something that can spread light to the darkest interior corners can be a dream come true."<br />
<br />
Photo: Joe Lukhovi
    Awuor Christine_8267001544_o.jpg
  • #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp<br />
Cannon Ball, North Dakota<br />
September 2016<br />
Photo by Sunshine Velasco | Survival Media Agency
    #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp_29823816...jpg
  • #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp<br />
Cannon Ball, North Dakota<br />
September 2016<br />
Photo by Sunshine Velasco | Survival Media Agency
    #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp_29710805...jpg
  • #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp<br />
Cannon Ball, North Dakota<br />
September 2016<br />
Photo by Sunshine Velasco | Survival Media Agency
    #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp_29531055...jpg
  • #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp<br />
Cannon Ball, North Dakota<br />
September 2016<br />
Photo by Sunshine Velasco | Survival Media Agency
    #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp_29823813...jpg
  • #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp<br />
Cannon Ball, North Dakota<br />
September 2016<br />
Photo by Sunshine Velasco | Survival Media Agency
    #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp_29710808...jpg
  • #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp<br />
Cannon Ball, North Dakota<br />
September 2016<br />
Photo by Sunshine Velasco | Survival Media Agency
    #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp_29531057...jpg
  • #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp<br />
Cannon Ball, North Dakota<br />
September 2016<br />
Photo by Sunshine Velasco | Survival Media Agency
    #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp_29197543...jpg
  • #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp<br />
Cannon Ball, North Dakota<br />
September 2016<br />
Photo by Sunshine Velasco | Survival Media Agency
    #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp_29197537...jpg
  • #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp<br />
Cannon Ball, North Dakota<br />
September 2016<br />
Photo by Sunshine Velasco | Survival Media Agency
    nodapl---sacred-stone-camp_298238252...jpg
  • #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp<br />
Cannon Ball, North Dakota<br />
September 2016<br />
Photo by Sunshine Velasco | Survival Media Agency
    nodapl---sacred-stone-camp_298238097...jpg
  • #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp<br />
Cannon Ball, North Dakota<br />
September 2016<br />
Photo by Sunshine Velasco | Survival Media Agency
    nodapl---sacred-stone-camp_297108224...jpg
  • #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp<br />
Cannon Ball, North Dakota<br />
September 2016<br />
Photo by Sunshine Velasco | Survival Media Agency
    nodapl---sacred-stone-camp_295310581...jpg
  • #NoDAPL - Sacred Stone Camp<br />
Cannon Ball, North Dakota<br />
September 2016<br />
Photo by Sunshine Velasco | Survival Media Agency
    nodapl---sacred-stone-camp_291975402...jpg
  • A BioSand filter helps remove 99.9% of all bacteria in water.  Noting the high mortality rate in children caused by drinking unclean water, Comfort Harja the country director of Uganda Women’s Water Initiative (UWWI) started to seek ways to provide a practical and sustainable solution.<br />
<br />
Godliver Businge the head technology trainer for Global Women's Water Initiative and a civil engineer had experience constructing Biosand filters and tanks using curved bricks as she has worked on food and water security issues in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania before. She knew this would be the best long term solution to provide access and clean water in Gomba.<br />
<br />
Using a grant from Global GreenGrants Fund, UWWI purchased materials for the construction of Biosand filters and Brick tanks. UWWI then trained women in Gomba on how to construct the filters and tanks. The filters constructed during the training were distributed to two schools that were facing the most  challenges due to constant absenteeism caused by water borne diseases. The 12 Biosand filters are now being used in 12 classrooms to provide clean drinking water for over  796 pupils in Gomba district <br />
<br />
<br />
Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • Nuruyati Nankya and Najjuma Mary carry water from a borehole to Joy and Grace School in Kabulasoke, Gomba district for Biosand filter construction  and Brick-making  training. For most women who had to endure walking long distances to fetch water and firewood, Biosand filters and brick tanks are a welcomed solution. The two technologies help them collect rain water and thus created access to clean water. The filters help to provide safe water for domestic use saving time, energy, income and trees previously used as firewood to boil water. <br />
<br />
<br />
Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • "I got married at 25 years and had two wonderful sons, Rayan Kato who is 10 years and Rashid Kato who is 8 years. The marriage was good for a while but later on, my husband kicked me out saying I was illiterate and uneducated because I couldn’t speak English. But speaking English is not a measure of my intelligence. I was reserved, shy and my self esteem was very low. When I left, my skills were limited to farming and with my small farm, I had to struggle to feed and educate my children by selling surpluses. To supplement my income from the farm, I would cut and burn trees for charcoal then sell it. The contaminated water here in Gomba meant that I had to frequently take my children to hospital due to bouts of diarrhea and typhoid. The training from Uganda Women's Water Initiative has taught us skills that have helped us get access to clean water and my children's health has improved. We learnt how to construct Biosand filters, brick tanks and now we are learning how to make soap. I am very good at these tasks which has made me very confident and now I take the lead in training the women here. I have grown so much in the last two years. No one knew me here as I was very quiet and reserved. Now, I have new skills that I gladly teach all that are willing to learn. My children are in better schools as I can make more income. More so, being a woman counselor means I get to sit in the local government committees and deliberate on issues affecting the people of Gomba. I can campaign for reduced deforestation in the area, provision of resources for safe drinking water solutions and diversifying skills to encourage entrepreneurship. More people now turn up for training on sanitation and health including men. It is very encouraging to feel their support." Betty Birungi, Uganda Women's Water Initiative, Gomba.<br />
<br />
<br />
Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • Gomba is a remote part of central Uganda. It is a place where trees line the roads, community members are as close as family, the food is good and healthy and school is a priority. <br />
<br />
In Gomba most people don't have access to clean water. The sources of water are far from the community and women and children usually have to walk for 5 kilometers or more to collect it. And, when they arrive a goat or cow might be there sharing the sought after water. <br />
<br />
Often households and schools use the water without treating it. <br />
As a result, about 50 children below the age of five die each month from diarrhea, typhoid and dysentery. <br />
<br />
Uganda Women's Water Initiative saw this problem and with a grant from Global GreenGrants Fund, they started a project that opened up new access to clean water. <br />
<br />
Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • Nabate Hairat, Kato Rogers and Babriye Flavia from Bukandula Parents Primary School fetching water from the brick tank in their school. After the construction of the tank, they no longer have to walk long distances to fetch water and lose out on time and energy for schoolwork.  They are also able to drink this water after filtering it with Biosand filters also constructed by local women from Uganda Women's Water Initiative.<br />
<br />
<br />
Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • "School abseentism has dropped from an average of 60 students weekly to about eight weekly after we started providing clean drinking water from the Biosand Filters. The health of the children has definitely improved. They have access to clean water throughout. This project is invaluable." <br />
<br />
--Nakimuli Lydia, Principal Joy and Grace Primary School.<br />
<br />
Uganda Women Water Initiative started working with women in Kabulasoke, whose children attend Joy and Grace Primary school. The school now has 4 Biosand filters in 4 classrooms that provide clean drinking water for the 260 children. <br />
<br />
Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • A pregnant Comfort Harja, director, Uganda Women’s Water Initiative talks to her son King Okori Rehan. Comfort Harja recognized the needs of the community in Gomba  since she worked there as a nurse. With UWWI, she sought out a grant to help fund the training of the women on the construction of BioSand filters that would provide safe water and reduce risks of waterborne diseases. Brick tanks helped to provide access to water as the children were walking too far to fetch water. They also trained on soap making to encourage hand-washing and improve hygiene and sanitation.<br />
<br />
<br />
Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • "Before I started working with Uganda Women's Water Initiative (UWWI), I worked as a nurse in Gomba. Everyday, more than 20 children would be brought in suffering from diarrhea, dysentery or typhoid. During that time, it must have been between 2005 and 2012, over  50 children would die each month because of these diseases. This was a very abnormal prevalence of these diseases and it was heart wrenching as these deaths were completely unnecessary. The cause was and still is waterborne diseases which can be prevented by drinking clean and safe water and proper hygiene and sanitation. I have a son and I'm expecting another child and my hope is they grow as healthy children. That is the same hope I have for the children in Gomba. That is why UWWI worked with women, the mothers of these children, training them to make filters so their children have access to safe drinking water." <br />
<br />
-- Comfort Harja, Country Director, Uganda Women's Water Initiative.<br />
<br />
<br />
Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • There are few water sources in Gomba District and the ones that are available are far. Water has to be transported in 20 liter Jerri-cans using motorbikes to transport the water to homes and to schools in Kabulasoke, Gomba  at a cost. <br />
This adds the burden on the already strained  women and the schools with low or no income that have to provide clean drinking water for their families and to their pupils.<br />
<br />
<br />
Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • Pupils queue for water at a tank in Bukandula Parents primary school. Local women from Gomba constructed the tank using curved brick technology after being trained by Uganda Women’s Water Initiative using a grant from Global Greengrants. The tank is currently in use at the school collecting rain water for the 428 pupils who previously had to walk 6 kilometers to fetch water for school use.<br />
<br />
Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • "The older girls and boys are the ones who had to go find the water far from school. I'm in P6 now and I was among the big girls. The days I knew I was going to go fetch water, I didn't feel like coming to school. It was far and the borehole water had a bad smell. Now I am happy to come to fetch the water at the tank anytime. It is just behind my classroom." - Nakato Rose, Bukandula Parents Primary School.<br />
<br />
Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • Nikuze Nastar shares a drink of clean water  with Nakiboneka Lukiya  after a successful training on construction of Biosand filters by Uganda Women's Water Initiative (UWWI). A grant from Global GreenGrants enabled the training and the constructed BioSand filters have provided safe drinking water in homes and schools and have reduced the risk of contracting waterborne diseases.<br />
<br />
<br />
Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • "We used to have to fetch water from the borehole and then have to fetch firewood to boil the water. Sometimes we would have to drink it without boiling and we would get sick. With the Biosand filters, we have drinking water whenever we need it and we are healthier because of it."<br />
Nahunkwuma Gloria, Kimuli Daniel and Nkuburwa Sumayiya, students at Joy and Grace Primary School, Gomba District.<br />
<br />
<br />
Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • "When these filters came to us to address the contaminated water issue, with it came environmental solutions too. Using firewood everyday to provide water for a school with 260 pupils is not sustainable at all. Biosand filters are a very sustainable solution. Gomba does not have forests and the trees we have, the people usually cut to get firewood and charcoal. The schools are a big consumer of firewood and so having the Biosand filters eliminates that need and helps us keep our trees. There have been frequent droughts recently which was not common in the past. If we preserve the trees, our environment wins."  <br />
<br />
--Godliver Businge from Uganda Women's Water Initiative (UWWI). <br />
<br />
Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • Nabadda Benitta, a student at Joy and Grace School fetches drinking water from a Biosand filter in her classroom. Her school, was one of the beneficiaries of a grant from Global GreenGrants fund which enabled Uganda women’s Water Initiative to construct and distribute 8 Biosand Filters to the schools that were most affected by absenteeism due to outbreaks of water borne diseases like diarrhea and typhoid. <br />
<br />
Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • Nakalembe Patricia, Uwineza Sylvia and Nampija Annet celebrate after a successful demonstration on operating a BioSand Filter.  The women were trained by Uganda Women's Water Initiative (UWWI) on how to construct and use the Biosand filter to improve water, sanitation and hygiene. <br />
<br />
<br />
Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • Betty Birungi is from Gomba district and has been participating in the women's trainings since 2015. Before Uganda Women's Water Initiative (UWWI) came to Gomba, she was very shy and she largely depended on selling charcoal and farm produce from her small farm. Along with 45 other women, Betty has learned how to construct Biosand filters. <br />
<br />
Betty has gained a new found confidence and now trains other women to construct the Biosand filters. She leads local UWWI meetings  and in 2016 was elected as Counselor in the Gomba district. She represents other women on issues like water access, access to renewable energy and health and nutrition.<br />
<br />
Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • Godliver Businge the head technology trainer helps to prepares a meal in Kabulasoke, Gomba district. Godliver wanted to break stereotypes of what women could do and thus she became an engineer. She now helps communities get access to clean safe water by training them on  Biosand Filters, brick layering and soap making in Gomba and allover East Africa helping many women and children have access to water and improve their sanitation. <br />
<br />
<br />
Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • Betty Birungi, woman counselor and a trainer with Uganda Women's Water Initiative serves food to her niece Namakula Daphne who she lives with. Her other guests are Godliver Businge and Annette Nakamya organize and train with her at the Uganda Women’s Water Initiative meetings.<br />
<br />
<br />
Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • Najjuma Mary and Annette Nakamya pour water into a Biosand filter which is intricately filled with layers of sand and stones of various textures that help to biologically filter the water. Over 45 women with families have trained on how  to construct the Biosand filters and the impact has trickled to their households and to the schools which their children attend.<br />
<br />
<br />
Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • In Gomba, many women rely on farming for income generation. They spend much of their time cultivating their small farms growing food and selling the surplus for income. But, this isn't always dependable due to fluctuating weather patterns and unreliable rainfall. Others have taken on loans in a local bank to start businesses but unfortunately due to the nature of the loans are often left poorer that when they started. <br />
<br />
Comfort Harja and Godliver Businge from Uganda Women's Water Initiative started to organize and train women in their community on skills that can be used for entrepreneurship and income generation. Through a grant from Global Greengrants Fund, UWWI has been able to conduct further trainings on biosand filters construction, water filtration and treatment, and brick making. These skills have opened up further economic opportunity for them and their families and created a more sustainable livelihood.<br />
<br />
<br />
Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • Women raise their glasses of clean water after a successful training on construction of Biosand filters by Godliver Businge from Uganda Women's Water Initiative. <br />
<br />
Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • "We used to fetch water from a borehole that is about 30 minutes from school. We used to go at 10 a.m, during the play hour, so that we had enough for the whole day. I didn't like that as it ate into our playing time. Even when we went in shifts, I did not like to miss play time to go fetch water." - Kato Rogers, Bukandula Primary School.<br />
<br />
Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • "I was the only girl in my family and I felt my dad cared for the boys more. My school fee was prioritized last and so I couldn’t go to high school until my cousin offered to sponsor me. She died in 2005 in a car accident and so not only was I profoundly sad but my hope to go to college was dimmed. I wanted to be a civil engineer and build things. Back then my father and seven brothers wanted me to get married immediately after high school. But I wanted to go to college and so my mother sold off the only piece of land she had and I was able to afford tuition for college where I got my diploma in civil engineering. I majored in brick laying and we came up with a way of making curved bricks from locally sourced materials. My work experience with different community organizations in East Africa exposed me to Biosand Filter technology and I learned how to make the filters.These skills have helped us come up with solutions in my community and communities like mine. With the grant Global Greengrants, we had the resources to train women on how to make curved bricks and we had materials to construct tanks in schools so children stay in school and do not have to walk long distances in search of water. " Godliver Businge, Global Women's Water Initiative's Head Technology Trainer.<br />
<br />
<br />
Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • Nabakoza Elivansoni carries her sick son to hospital after repeated cases of diarrhea due to contaminated drinking water. Many children in Gomba district, fall sick due to water, sanitation and hygiene related issues. So much of their very little income is spent taking sick children to the hospital for treatment.<br />
<br />
<br />
Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • Godliver Businge from UWWI helps Betty Birungi (Second from the right) prepare a meal for her friends and family in Kabulasoke, Gomba district. Betty Birungi has been leading the training of women on Biosand Filters, brick layering and soap making in Gomba and her home is a home to many of the women she has helped training. She was elected as a woman counselor for Gomba district in 2016 due to the work that she has done on improving access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene. She represents them in the local government deliberations on development, budget for the district and in campaigning for issues like reducing deforestation in the area, provision of resources for safe drinking water solutions to families and increasing skills to encourage entrepreneurship. She is also able to reach more people that show up for training on sanitation and health<br />
<br />
<br />
Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • Mukankusi Shamila and Sekamate John enjoy their time at the school playground during play hour at Bukandula Parents Primary School. Pupils are healthier, more active and more productive at school after the brick tanks were constructed. They have quick access to water and they no longer have to walk long distances to bring water to school.<br />
<br />
<br />
Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • Nakato Rose, Mukankusi Shamila, Nabate Hairat, Nakilija Rose, Namatovu Majoline, Namuyomba Florence, Namata Zahara, Babirye Flavia, Nahunkwuma Gloria, Kato Rogers, Sekamate John and Nnasa Sebagada from Bukandula Primary School hold out thank you notes for grants made by Global GreenGrants and AVEDA that enabled Uganda Women's Water Initiative build a water tank in their school.<br />
<br />
Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • Pupils from Bukandula Parents Primary School on their way home from school. School abseentism has greatly dropped after the tank came in to provide access to clean drinking water. The children are healthy and thy do not have to walk long distances to fetch water.<br />
<br />
<br />
Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • "We are happy. The number of times that our children get ill was very worrying. When that worry is lowered, we have time to concentrate on other activities that can generate more income for our families. Right now, we have a solution and we are very grateful for these skills" - Nikuze Nastar<br />
<br />
Nikuze Nastar pours water on her face as the rest of the women trainees celebrate with a drink of clean water from the Biosand filter pictured in the middle. <br />
<br />
<br />
Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • "I have been able to put up a small grocery kiosk with savings I have managed to accumulate as my expenses have reduced. I used to incur costs such as fuel wood  for boiling water and hospital bills due to recurrent cases of diarrhea that affected my two children." - Nakalisa Teddy.<br />
<br />
Betty Birungi speaks with Nakalisa Teddy, another woman from Kabulasoke who has benefited from the trainings held by UWWI using the grant from Global Greengrants Fund.<br />
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Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
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  • "I lead trainings here in Gomba when Godliver and Comfort are in Kampala and in other communities where they are helping more women. I am confident now that I have skills that help me make a difference in the community and get income. My children are in a boarding school which is so much better than the schools I attended. At their age, they express themselves well and it makes me proud. I am also humbled that I represent women who face the same problems I faced and we can try get solutions together." - Betty Birungi <br />
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Betty Birungi now represents women from her district of Gomba as a counselor on issues like water access, access to renewable energy, health and nutrition.<br />
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Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • Nakalembe Patricia takes a sip of refreshing cold clean water after a successful demonstration on constructing and operating a BioSand Filter.  <br />
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Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
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  • Lukwago Sudais, Mugalu Kevin and Waswa George Albert, pupils  at Joy and Grace School during recess at their school.  With four Biosand filters at Joy and Grace Primary School, the children are healthier, more active and their water intake has greatly improved. <br />
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Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • "My husband kept asking me why I was wasting time at the women meetings and trainings. When I made some bricks and repaired the stairs at our home that have been damaged for two years, he was quite impressed. And now that I can make and sell soap, he is very proud of me. In fact, he wants me to teach him." Annette Nakamya, Gomba, Uganda.<br />
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Nikuze Nasta shares a drink of clean water from a Biosand filter with Annette Nakamya after a training at Joy and Grace School in Gomba, Uganda. <br />
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Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
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  • Godliver Businge, an engineer and the head trainer for UWWI  takes a sip of clean water after carrying out a Biosand Filter training in Kabulasoke with 22 women. <br />
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Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • Nnnsikombi Oriver pours soap into molds. It takes a day for the soap to solidify after which it is ready for use or for sale. The soap has been a vital part of the women training progamme with Uganda Women's Water Initiative. There is ready market for the soap in Kabulasoke town in Gomba and this provides extra income for the women.<br />
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Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • Children run and play during recess. Joy and Grace Primary School is a recipient of one of the Biosand Filters and it has made a tremendous impact on the students, the teachers, and the faculty. <br />
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Cases of diarrhea have decreased and more children are able to attend school more consistently. Before the school boiled water for the children everyday. This meant they had to buy firewood, which directly led to the deforestation of their land and increased risks of diseases caused by smoke. <br />
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Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
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  • Women from the training center at Joy and Grace School in Kabulasoke, Gomba district in Uganda hold out thank you notes for the grants made by Global GreenGrants, AVEDA and Global Women’s Water Initiative that provided funds for training on Biosand filters, Brick making and soap making. <br />
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Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • Betty Birungi serves a meal to her friends and family in Kabulasoke, Gomba district. As a counselor, she does not have an office and so her home is a home to many people who come to seek her guidance on issues like access to clean and safe water.<br />
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Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
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  • "We used to miss school because of being sick so often that it was hard to catch up with school work. We are now in P7, the last grade in primary school and some of us are trying to catch up on all the subjects this term"  <br />
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Owori Keneth, Nadatta Benitta and Nakuburwa Sumayiya share the same sentiments about living with chronic water borne sicknesses, as they prepare for exams at Joy and Grace Primary School. <br />
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Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
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  • A BioSand filter helps remove 99.9% of all bacteria in water.  Noting the high mortality rate in children caused by drinking unclean water, Comfort Harja the country director of Uganda Women’s Water Initiative (UWWI) started to seek ways to provide a practical and sustainable solution.<br />
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Godliver Businge the head technology trainer for Global Women's Water Initiative and a civil engineer had experience constructing Biosand filters and tanks using curved bricks as she has worked on food and water security issues in Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania before. She knew this would be the best long term solution to provide access and clean water in Gomba.<br />
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Using a grant from Global GreenGrants Fund, UWWI purchased materials for the construction of Biosand filters and Brick tanks. UWWI then trained women in Gomba on how to construct the filters and tanks. The filters constructed during the training were distributed to two schools that were facing the most  challenges due to constant absenteeism caused by water borne diseases. The 12 Biosand filters are now being used in 12 classrooms to provide clean drinking water for over  796 pupils in Gomba district <br />
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Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
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  • Gomba is a remote part of central Uganda. It is a place where trees line the roads, community members are as close as family, the food is good and healthy and school is a priority. <br />
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In Gomba most people don't have access to clean water. The sources of water are far from the community and women and children usually have to walk for 5 kilometers or more to collect it. And, when they arrive a goat or cow might be there sharing the sought after water. <br />
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Often households and schools use the water without treating it. <br />
As a result, about 50 children below the age of five die each month from diarrhea, typhoid and dysentery. <br />
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Uganda Women's Water Initiative saw this problem and with a grant from Global GreenGrants Fund, they started a project that opened up new access to clean water. <br />
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Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
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  • Nuruyati Nankya and Najjuma Mary carry water from a borehole to Joy and Grace School in Kabulasoke, Gomba district for Biosand filter construction  and Brick-making  training. For most women who had to endure walking long distances to fetch water and firewood, Biosand filters and brick tanks are a welcomed solution. The two technologies help them collect rain water and thus created access to clean water. The filters help to provide safe water for domestic use saving time, energy, income and trees previously used as firewood to boil water. <br />
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Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • "I got married at 25 years and had two wonderful sons, Rayan Kato who is 10 years and Rashid Kato who is 8 years. The marriage was good for a while but later on, my husband kicked me out saying I was illiterate and uneducated because I couldn’t speak English. But speaking English is not a measure of my intelligence. I was reserved, shy and my self esteem was very low. When I left, my skills were limited to farming and with my small farm, I had to struggle to feed and educate my children by selling surpluses. To supplement my income from the farm, I would cut and burn trees for charcoal then sell it. The contaminated water here in Gomba meant that I had to frequently take my children to hospital due to bouts of diarrhea and typhoid. The training from Uganda Women's Water Initiative has taught us skills that have helped us get access to clean water and my children's health has improved. We learnt how to construct Biosand filters, brick tanks and now we are learning how to make soap. I am very good at these tasks which has made me very confident and now I take the lead in training the women here. I have grown so much in the last two years. No one knew me here as I was very quiet and reserved. Now, I have new skills that I gladly teach all that are willing to learn. My children are in better schools as I can make more income. More so, being a woman counselor means I get to sit in the local government committees and deliberate on issues affecting the people of Gomba. I can campaign for reduced deforestation in the area, provision of resources for safe drinking water solutions and diversifying skills to encourage entrepreneurship. More people now turn up for training on sanitation and health including men. It is very encouraging to feel their support." Betty Birungi, Uganda Women's Water Initiative, Gomba.<br />
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Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
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  • "The older girls and boys are the ones who had to go find the water far from school. I'm in P6 now and I was among the big girls. The days I knew I was going to go fetch water, I didn't feel like coming to school. It was far and the borehole water had a bad smell. Now I am happy to come to fetch the water at the tank anytime. It is just behind my classroom." - Nakato Rose, Bukandula Parents Primary School.<br />
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Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • Pupils queue for water at a tank in Bukandula Parents primary school. Local women from Gomba constructed the tank using curved brick technology after being trained by Uganda Women’s Water Initiative using a grant from Global Greengrants. The tank is currently in use at the school collecting rain water for the 428 pupils who previously had to walk 6 kilometers to fetch water for school use.<br />
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Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • A pregnant Comfort Harja, director, Uganda Women’s Water Initiative talks to her son King Okori Rehan. Comfort Harja recognized the needs of the community in Gomba  since she worked there as a nurse. With UWWI, she sought out a grant to help fund the training of the women on the construction of BioSand filters that would provide safe water and reduce risks of waterborne diseases. Brick tanks helped to provide access to water as the children were walking too far to fetch water. They also trained on soap making to encourage hand-washing and improve hygiene and sanitation.<br />
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Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
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  • Nabate Hairat, Kato Rogers and Babriye Flavia from Bukandula Parents Primary School fetching water from the brick tank in their school. After the construction of the tank, they no longer have to walk long distances to fetch water and lose out on time and energy for schoolwork.  They are also able to drink this water after filtering it with Biosand filters also constructed by local women from Uganda Women's Water Initiative.<br />
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Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
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  • "Before I started working with Uganda Women's Water Initiative (UWWI), I worked as a nurse in Gomba. Everyday, more than 20 children would be brought in suffering from diarrhea, dysentery or typhoid. During that time, it must have been between 2005 and 2012, over  50 children would die each month because of these diseases. This was a very abnormal prevalence of these diseases and it was heart wrenching as these deaths were completely unnecessary. The cause was and still is waterborne diseases which can be prevented by drinking clean and safe water and proper hygiene and sanitation. I have a son and I'm expecting another child and my hope is they grow as healthy children. That is the same hope I have for the children in Gomba. That is why UWWI worked with women, the mothers of these children, training them to make filters so their children have access to safe drinking water." <br />
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-- Comfort Harja, Country Director, Uganda Women's Water Initiative.<br />
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Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • There are few water sources in Gomba District and the ones that are available are far. Water has to be transported in 20 liter Jerri-cans using motorbikes to transport the water to homes and to schools in Kabulasoke, Gomba  at a cost. <br />
This adds the burden on the already strained  women and the schools with low or no income that have to provide clean drinking water for their families and to their pupils.<br />
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Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
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  • "School abseentism has dropped from an average of 60 students weekly to about eight weekly after we started providing clean drinking water from the Biosand Filters. The health of the children has definitely improved. They have access to clean water throughout. This project is invaluable." <br />
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--Nakimuli Lydia, Principal Joy and Grace Primary School.<br />
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Uganda Women Water Initiative started working with women in Kabulasoke, whose children attend Joy and Grace Primary school. The school now has 4 Biosand filters in 4 classrooms that provide clean drinking water for the 260 children. <br />
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Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
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  • Nikuze Nastar shares a drink of clean water  with Nakiboneka Lukiya  after a successful training on construction of Biosand filters by Uganda Women's Water Initiative (UWWI). A grant from Global GreenGrants enabled the training and the constructed BioSand filters have provided safe drinking water in homes and schools and have reduced the risk of contracting waterborne diseases.<br />
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Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
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  • Nabadda Benitta, a student at Joy and Grace School fetches drinking water from a Biosand filter in her classroom. Her school, was one of the beneficiaries of a grant from Global GreenGrants fund which enabled Uganda women’s Water Initiative to construct and distribute 8 Biosand Filters to the schools that were most affected by absenteeism due to outbreaks of water borne diseases like diarrhea and typhoid. <br />
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Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • "We used to have to fetch water from the borehole and then have to fetch firewood to boil the water. Sometimes we would have to drink it without boiling and we would get sick. With the Biosand filters, we have drinking water whenever we need it and we are healthier because of it."<br />
Nahunkwuma Gloria, Kimuli Daniel and Nkuburwa Sumayiya, students at Joy and Grace Primary School, Gomba District.<br />
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Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • "When these filters came to us to address the contaminated water issue, with it came environmental solutions too. Using firewood everyday to provide water for a school with 260 pupils is not sustainable at all. Biosand filters are a very sustainable solution. Gomba does not have forests and the trees we have, the people usually cut to get firewood and charcoal. The schools are a big consumer of firewood and so having the Biosand filters eliminates that need and helps us keep our trees. There have been frequent droughts recently which was not common in the past. If we preserve the trees, our environment wins."  <br />
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--Godliver Businge from Uganda Women's Water Initiative (UWWI). <br />
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Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
  • Mukankusi Shamila and Sekamate John enjoy their time at the school playground during play hour at Bukandula Parents Primary School. Pupils are healthier, more active and more productive at school after the brick tanks were constructed. They have quick access to water and they no longer have to walk long distances to bring water to school.<br />
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Photos by Joel Lukhovi | Survival Media Agency
    Biosand Filters and Brick tanks A wa...jpg
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