Agro-pastoralist communities in southern Ethiopia often struggle to make a living due to water scarcity, which has many knock-on effects on their ability to farm successfully. When communities can acquire the resources and skills they need, as we see in the case of the Gurdo community, they find themselves in a much better position to thrive and work towards their future goals. Read more
When dryland communities have access to water from a sand dam, new possibilities open up for them to diversify their livelihoods. Speaking with a member of the Alteargude community in southern Ethiopia, we hear how their sand dam project, particularly the training they have received, is opening new windows of opportunity for them. Read more
Sand dam projects can play a key role in alleviating water shortages in rural communities, but they can also do so much more. Speaking with a member of the Gurdo community in Ethiopia, we hear about how achieving a reliable water source is helping people to thrive and develop their livelihoods without the burdens of water scarcity. Read more
Having a reliable source of clean water is so crucial to peoples’ needs, particularly in southern Ethiopia where water shortages are a regular occurrence. We spoke with a member of the Gurma Mero community to find out how their sand dam is helping them to meet their most important needs. Read more
In southern Ethiopia, persistent cycles of drought and extreme weather have taken their toll on local people’s livelihoods, leading to extreme poverty for thousands. Speaking with a member of the Mukecha community, we learn how building a sand dam has helped them to rebuild their livelihoods and equipped them for the future. Read more
In Mozambique, the Chimbirgie community had suffered from water scarcity for years before their sand dam project. Having struggled with their development for years, we hear from community members who say their lives are now changing as a result of the water from their sand dam. Read more
Without a reliable source of clean water, people living in dryland communities often find themselves lacking the opportunities they want in life. Speaking with two members of the Uvilani Central self-help group, we learn how a sand dam project has opened up new possibilities for locals in southeast Kenya. Read more
At Sand Dams Worldwide, we are always looking for ways to bring the benefits of sand dams to new dryland areas. Speaking with the Kyamuisu community in southeast Kenya, we learn about how solar power is helping to enable more people to access sand dam water. Read more
As our pilot programme in South Omo zone in southern Ethiopia continues, our partners arranged a learning exchange visit between local communities so that they could learn from one another's projects. Hearing from the participants, we learned more about the overall impact of sand dam projects in the area. Read more
In southern Malawi, the everyday challenges of the dryland climate are being increasingly added to by the occurrence of natural disasters. Speaking with the Nyanthumbi community, we learn how they are expecting their lives to improve after constructing their first sand dam, despite the challenges they face. Read more
Sand Dams Worldwide (SDW) recently had the chance to visit the Mzondola community in Nsanje, southern Malawi. Speaking with two community members, we found out how their sand dam has helped them to overcome the challenging conditions facing their area and look forward to planning their futures. Read more
When communities lack an adequate water source, day-to-day life can be so draining that planning for the future becomes a near impossible task. We spoke with a self-help group chairperson in southeast Kenya to find out how constructing a sand dam has helped to relieve daily struggles and enabled them to look forward to their futures. Read more