Pure Water, Brighter Lives: Sustaining Africa’s Future
WATER FOR LIFE
The Water for Life Committee, established in 2005 under the guidance of His Holiness Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, the spiritual head of the Worldwide Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, is a humanitarian initiative focused on addressing water scarcity in Africa by researching and implementing affordable methods to extract clean, potable drinking water. Managed by the International Association for Ahmadi Architects and Engineers (IAAAE), the committee aims to provide sustainable water solutions to underserved communities, particularly in rural African regions where access to safe drinking water is limited.
Key Areas of Work
Research & Innovation
Developing cost-effective water systems such as boreholes and wells
Health & Impact
Reducing waterborne diseases and improving public health
Sustainability
Training locals for long-term system maintenance and ownership
Broader Context and Impact
Alignment with Global Goals: The Water for Life Committee’s work aligns with global efforts like the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals (achieved in 2010 for drinking water) and Sustainable Development Goals (2015–2030), which emphasize universal access to safe water and sanitation.
Health and Social Benefits: Access to clean water reduces the burden of waterborne diseases, which cause significant mortality in Africa (e.g., 115 deaths per hour in the African Region due to poor sanitation). It also alleviates the time and labor spent fetching water, often by women and children, allowing them to focus on education and economic activities.
Community Empowerment: By involving local communities in the maintenance and management of water systems, the committee fosters self-reliance and ensures the longevity of its projects.
The committee operates in regions facing:
Water Scarcity: Even in areas with rainfall, contamination and poor infrastructure limit access to safe water.
Population Growth: Rapid population increases strain existing water resources, as seen in sub-Saharan Africa.
Climate Change: Droughts and shifting weather patterns exacerbate water shortages, making sustainable solutions critical.
Sponsored by Mr. Irshad Haider, a borehole in Bugeni, Mali now provides clean water, showcasing Water for Life’s impactful mission.
In partnership with Jamaat Ahmadiyya Benin, IAAAE began building 50 wells to combat water scarcity through sustainable, scalable solutions.
The Water for Life extended efforts to Burkina Faso and Bigene, Guinea-Bissau villages, aiding 8,000 residents with clean water in underserved African communities.