Make your investment go further

The support of charitable trusts and foundations is vital to the work of Sand Dams Worldwide. The generous gifts from charitable trusts around the world have enabled us to support many more people to transform their lives than we could have hoped to achieve alone. Together we support communities in dryland regions to build sand dams; creating the opportunity for some of the world’s poorest and most marginalised people to work their way out of poverty in dignity.

"We have followed Sand Dams Worldwide [formerly Excellent Development] going from strength to strength for many years. The main attraction of the Program is that it empowers the people of the land to take control of their land for now and tomorrow, for them to be fed today and their children tomorrow and future generations after that."

The Calleva Foundation.

Why sand dams?

Drylands represent 40% of the Earth’s surface and support 74% of the world’s poorest people. The most pressing challenge for many is the scarcity of water and the degradation of lands. Sand dams are the most cost-effective method of rainwater harvesting in drylands. They can store up to 40 million litres of clean water: enough to support over 1,000 people meet their domestic and agricultural needs for life.

By bringing clean water close to people’s homes, they save women and children hours of time; time that can now be invested in farming, earning an income, looking after families or going to school.

For people living in drylands, sand dams can be something of a miracle. We believe that they will transform millions of lives.

That’s why Sand Dams Worldwide supports people to build sand dams. And that’s why we’re pioneering them in drylands around the world.

Email us to find out more.