Projects
The Ryan’s Well BUILD program supports safe water, sanitation and hygiene education programs in partnership with local non-governmental and community organizations. In our continuing efforts to improve the lives of people impacted the global water and sanitation crisis with sustainable access to safe water and sanitation, we have identified the following vital priorities for success:
Ryan's vision, as a young boy in 1998 and to this day as a young man, is for every person in the world to have a simple necessity – access to safe water. Ryan and his Foundation continue to pursue this goal of clean water and sanitation for all. To date, with the support of dedicated individuals, corporations, schools, communities and faith based groups, the Ryan's Well Foundation has supported safe water and sanitation projects through engagement with local partners in each country with local expertise. Our generous donors enable us to provide funding support, guidance and capacity building to our partners on the ground in each country where resources are needed most.
PROJECTS NEEDING HELP
1. Community Driven
Members of each community and school are engaged in project planning, implementation and ongoing management of new water sources, sanitation and hygiene education activities. From training of hygiene trainers, carrying materials, digging latrine pits to managing their new water source, mobilized communities are the sustaining factor for long term success. Establishing a school or village water committee is most often the first step to encourage local participation throughout the project. Communities and schools will be trained and empowered to manage and maintain their own water supply and sanitation for the future to truly support positive change.
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2. Local Partnerships
Our local partners are the vital link between your support and assisting those in need of safe water and sanitation. Non-governmental organizations (NGO's) and community based groups bring their local insight and on the ground expertise to our work. This supports community involvement in schools and villages to ensure that local traditions, ideas and beliefs are incorporated into project plans. It is a mutually beneficial partnership for sustainable projects as a result of local expertise with communities and partners empowered for the future through skill building and decision making capacity.
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3. Empowerment of Children, Youth and Women
In keeping with the fundamental principles of Ryan's Well, projects and programs will focus on providing children and youth with access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene education and for women who hold key roles of responsibility for household water supply, childcare and community mobilization. Increased emphasis will be placed on programming reaching children under age of five years who don't yet attend school and are among the most vulnerable to water related illness and death along with school programs which support increased access to education through provision of a healthy school environment for girls and boys.
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4. Inclusive Access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene
In order to maximize potential benefits for people and communities, programming must take the three element approach of safe water, improved sanitation and hygiene education. Resulting positive impacts are compounded over time by ensuring that these three key elements are implemented and communities are fully engaged with the importance of the “safe water chain” of clean water source, safe transport and clean storage of water supplies in households and schools. This all encompassing approach will maximize benefits to health, well-being and community empowerment with time previously used for collecting water now available for education and income generating activities.
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5. Scalable Programs for Future Growth
Establishment of water and sanitation projects and programs with the capacity to increase in reach and scope, and therefore impact, will provide access for more people as programming is replicated in broader regions and across borders. Proactive program development, technology and capacity building will lead to scaled results. As local benefits are realized, awareness will be raised in neighbouring communities, creating greater demand in new communities to support scaled results.
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6. Sustainable Results for Years to Come
By focusing on each of the areas listed, Ryan’s Well aims to support the growth of water and sanitation programs that will provide access for communities for years to come. In keeping with the Ryan's Well Guiding Principles for Sustainable Development and Environmental Sustainability, our objective is to support safe water and sanitation access with respect for our global water resources. Through proper planning, implementation, operation and maintenance and increased expertise for evaluation and monitoring, we are strengthening our positive impact for people impacted by this global crisis and improving lives for the future. Learn more about WASH Sustainability.
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