Our focus

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene

Ensuring lasting access to safe clean water, sanitation and hygiene for healthier, thriving communities 

We take a holistic, evidence-driven approach to ensure that communities have lasting access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene.

Clean water and safe sanitation are the foundation of healthy, resilient communities. Yet, millions of children and families still lack these essentials, exposing them to preventable diseases and deepening cycles of poverty and inequality. A lack of safe water is also not just a health issue, it affects education, economic stability, and entire communities. 

The challenges are deeply connected:  

Unsafe drinking water: Contaminated water spreads disease and weakens immune systems. 
Lack of sanitation: Without proper toilets, communities face higher risks of infection and illness. 
Poor hygiene practices: Without handwashing and hygiene education, diseases spread easily. 
Climate change risks: Extreme weather disrupts water access and damages sanitation infrastructure. 
Gender inequality: Women and girls face increased risks without safe, accessible WASH facilities.  

Our Approach

We address water, sanitation and hygiene challenges by combining our core approaches in order to improve health, strengthen communities, and scale sustainable solutions.   

Evidence for Scale
We test, refine and scale solutions using data and research to identify the most effective solutions. We piloted mini water grids in communities; an approach that has now evolved into our social enterprise Max TapWater, which now delivers safe piped water at scale.  
Integrating for Impact
Child health cannot be improved in isolation. That’s why we integrate water and sanitation alongside nutrition and maternal care. For example, we install water systems that serve both households and irrigation, and train water committees to support household gardens.
Strengthening Systems 
We strengthen locally led systems to ensure sustainable water and sanitation access, beyond our direct intervention. We support joint planning across water, nutrition, and health sectors, and train water point caretakers and management committees for long-term upkeep.
Market Systems 
Strong local markets are essential for ensuring consistent access to quality water and sanitation products and services. In Bangladesh, we helped improve policy for water enterprises and trained sanitation entrepreneurs to build latrines in their own communities.

A Future with Safe Water for Every Child

We envision a world where every child has access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene which ensures better health, education and opportunities. To achieve this, we are expanding climate-resilient water and sanitation solutions to ensure communities can withstand floods, droughts and extreme weather. We are committed to strengthening local systems and community-led solutions to keep water accessible, affordable, to ensure children thrive today and for generations to come.   

Read more: Our Focus

Our focus

Food and Nutrition

Food Security, Better Nutrition, Stronger Communities 

Maternal and Adolescent Health

Healthy Women and Girls, Thriving Generations 

Community Voices

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Clean water, for a healthier community

Kanchan's story Read article

Kanchan Khan and his friends collect water at the new well in Golachipa Upazila in Patuakhali District (Bangladesh).

Before the well was installed, people from the community used water from the next closest well – an hour walk from the village.

This water was often contaminated and the iron level too high. Many people in the community suffered from water related diseases.

The village chief says: “The clean water we now have access to contributes to a healthier community. We see many positive changes”