Access to clean water has always been at the heart of health and survival for children and families in rural Uganda. In 2023, the Future Africa Initiative partnered with AquaLife International, a social enterprise specializing in solar-powered water systems.
The partnership launched a pilot project in Kiboga District, where families previously walked up to 5 kilometers daily to fetch unsafe water from open ponds. Children, especially girls, missed school because of the long hours spent carrying heavy jerrycans.
Together, Future Africa Initiative and AquaLife International installed two solar-powered boreholes and trained local water committees to maintain them. Within weeks, the community noticed dramatic changes: children were healthier, school attendance increased, and women used the time they once spent fetching water to start small income-generating activities.
One mother, Beatrice, shared her gratitude:
“Before this borehole, I lost two of my children to typhoid. Now, my family drinks clean water, and I no longer fear for their lives. This gift has changed everything.”
This partnership has since grown into a model program, with both organizations committed to expanding clean water access to five more districts. It demonstrates how pooling expertise — social enterprise technology and grassroots child-focused outreach — can create sustainable, life-saving solutions.