Pure Water, Brighter Lives: Sustaining Africa’s Future
Access to clean water is not a privilege, it is a basic human right. Water for Life strives to turn this right into a reality for every soul in need
IVORY COAST
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 Objectives and Activities
- Research and Innovation: The committee was formed to explore cost-effective technologies and methods for extracting and distributing clean water. This includes developing systems like boreholes and wells that are affordable and sustainable for local communities.
- Community Impact: The initiative targets villages and regions in Africa where water scarcity leads to health issues like waterborne diseases (e.g., cholera, typhoid, and dysentery). By providing clean water, the committee seeks to improve public health, reduce mortality rates, and enhance quality of life.
- Sustainability: Projects emphasize local ownership and maintenance, often involving community training to ensure long-term functionality of water systems.
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.
Challenges Addressed
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.
Notable Projects
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.