Categories
Uganda Water

675 people at Okechai Community now have safe water!

With love and support from James and Nancy Dahlgren, 675 people at Okechai Community now have access to safe water! Before Rehabilitation Okechai Community in Kalaki District, Uganda, is home to 675 people (388 women and 287 men). Their community borehole was drilled in 2007 with 14 pipes, but upon assessment by our local partner […]

Categories
Hygiene Menstrual Health Sanitation Uganda Water

First Year of Partnership with HydroPoint Impacts over 2,500 People

HydroPoint, a smart water management company, has joined forces with Surge to impact 10,000 people in rural Uganda before 2028. With a shared vision to bring about transformative change. In the first year of our partnership, we reached more than 2,500 people in Kaberamaido and Kalaki, Uganda! Leveraging our women-led model and working hand-in-hand with […]

Categories
Uganda Water

A Photo Journey: A New Well Brings Hope

Since 2008, we have worked with community partners in 12 countries to bring safe water to communities that often self-identify as “forgotten”. Listening to and working with community leaders to bring their solutions to life is at the heart of what we do. While the work may differ from country to country, the goal remains […]

Categories
Uganda Water

The Cards We’re Dealt

We can only play the cards we are dealt with in life… Drawing poor cards for some is living in a community without access to a clean water source. For over 100,000 people living in rural, remote villages in Kaberamaido and Kalaki in Uganda – survival dictated collecting water from swamps or contaminated springs. These […]

Categories
Philippines Water

Catalent helps provide safe water to 390 people in the Philippines

With our local implementing partner Clean Water International in the Philippines (CWIP) and Catalent’s ASPIRE and CWN employee resource groups, an entire school now has access to safe water! Unsafe water at Melilla Elementary School leaves no choice but to buy bottled water Melilla Elementary School, located in a mountainous area of Davao, has 114 […]

Categories
Indonesia Menstrual Health Sanitation Water

Strengthening Solutions in Indonesia

Our work in Indonesia began in 2021, and we have already had a tremendous impact! In partnership with community-based organization Yayasan Labda Radmila Agrapana (YLRA),  we started our work with menstrual health education. Last year, we strengthened our solutions by building rainwater harvesting tanks, constructing a school toilet, and delivering household water filters! As we […]

Categories
Haiti Water

Combating Cholera Outbreak in Haiti: A Community-based Prevention Program

In 2010, Haiti suffered from a large-scale outbreak of cholera. This outbreak was a surprise to everyone, as it was believed that modern sanitation practices had eliminated cholera. From 2010 to 2019, there would be 820,000 reported cases of cholera and more than 9,700 deaths. After three years without any reported cases, Haiti is once […]

Categories
Water

This Mother’s Day is For Moms, Everywhere

For millions of mothers across the globe the water crisis is a matter of life and death. Each day, moms face significant challenges in achieving successful, healthy lives for them and their families. They struggle to secure safe water for their families – putting themselves at risk and sacrificing time that could be spent working […]

Categories
Sanitation Water

World Water Day: Accelerating Action to fight the Global Water & Sanitation Crisis

In 2015, the world committed to safe water and sanitation for all by 2030 as part of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. While progress has been made, we are not on track to reach this goal. Globally, 2.2 billion people still don’t have access to the water and toilets they need for happy, healthy lives.  […]

Categories
Haiti Hygiene Indonesia Menstrual Health Sanitation Uganda Water

Over 59,000 People Impacted since the Start of the Year!

With a great start to 2022, we’re excited to announce that with our local partners, we’ve reached an additional 46,000 people! Since the start of the year, we’ve impacted over 59,000 people! More than 4,800 People Impacted in Haiti In Haiti, we work with three local partners – ANACAONA Community, ASSLHA, and Frmwrx – to […]

Categories
Indonesia Menstrual Health Water

3,832 People Impacted in Indonesia

We are thrilled to announce the success of our partnerships with Tri Hita Karana and YLRA in Indonesia! After pilot programs in 2021, our work has gone on to impact 3,832 people in eastern Bali and Sumba. Hand-in-hand with our partners and the local communities, we have constructed four rainwater tanks and one spring harvesting […]

Categories
Field Partner Uganda Water

The Water Crisis is a Women’s Crisis

Did you know that the global water crisis disproportionately impacts women and girls?  Women and girls often bear the burden of collecting water for their family’s survival. Globally, women spend over 200 million hours each day looking for water. This equates to the entire population of California spending 5 hours daily searching for water!  Time […]

Sign up for our Newsletter

Learn about our events, work, and ways to make an impact

Will you consider Making a Donation to help make a difference?

Contact Us

Learn about our events, work, and ways to make an impact

Will you consider Making a Donation to help make a difference?

Lorraine Alva

Lorraine Alva

Director, UAE

Lorraine Alva

I’m passionate about Surge’s mission to provide clean water to those most in need. It’s touching to hear the experiences of our team who’ve witnessed and contributed first-hand solutions to the communities Surge works in. As the mother of Surge’s founder, it is extra-special to see my daughter’s vision and hard work come to life and make a difference in so many lives. I’m also happy to apply my strong organizational and administration skills from my 35-year career in the oil industry towards Surge.

Laila Al Yousuf

Laila Al-Yousuf

Director, UAE
Design Director at Say Studio

Laila Al-Yousuf

I want my life to be about the positive impact that I make on other people’s lives. I’m blessed and I’m compelled to use my blessings to help other people; this is why I’m a part of Surge. Traveling to Uganda with Surge changed my life. Every day, I see the faces of the beautiful people we met, and it gives me the drive to do what I can for them. As a professional interior designer, it was an honor to use my talents to create and help launch Surge’s annual UAE gala and design competition: Design, Dine, Make a Difference. It’s been a surreal experience to see the interior design industry come together to support our cause, and thus change the lives of communities around the world.

Jennie Stallings

Jennie Stallings

Director, UAE
Partner/Commercial Manager at ChelseaGREEN

Jennie Stallings

With over 25 years’ experience across the US, Middle East, and Africa as an Ergonomic Specialist, Wellness Consultant, Trainer, Interior Designer, and self-proclaimed furniture guru, Jennie has been driven to help create spaces where people can thrive.

Jennie stumbled across Surge after attending the second annual gala, Design, Dine, make a Difference, and has been involved ever since. Whether she is in a ball gown in Dubai or a Surge t-shirt, she passionately supports Surge in any way her skills can allow her to be of service.

Trisha Bhagat

Trisha Bhagat

Treasurer, USA
Associate Director, Business Compliance at Abbvie

Trisha Bhagat

I love that Surge is committed to helping our global communities be healthier and happier. I resonate deeply with Surge’s sustainable approach that allows communities to stand on their own and flourish. I feel very fortunate that I get to volunteer with some amazing passionate people; it makes me feel like I’m part of a global family. Professionally, I work in audit and compliance, and I enjoy applying these analytical skills, as well as my creative side, towards growing Surge.

Scott Minger

Scott Minger

Development Chair, USA
Chief Development Officer at Vitamin Angels

Scott Minger

I believe access to clean water is a human right. I love how Surge provides sustainable solutions to communities with the goal of ending the cycle of poverty. I am passionate about leveraging my 20 years in the retail industry and nonprofit management experience to help provide access to clean water to those in need.

Sarah Lynch

Sarah Odde Lynch

Marketing & Communications Director, USA
Vice President of Sales and Marketing at BevSource

Sarah Odde Lynch

I love devoting my time as a marketing professional to an organization that cares about providing for children and families’ basic needs — and creating a better future. It’s been exciting to see Surge grow through the years, starting as an idea and now becoming a major force in the water and sanitation space. Outside of Surge, I’ve been in corporate marketing for more than 15 years, working on dynamic food and beverage brands such as Land O’Lakes®, Baileys®, Ketel One®, and most recently V&V Supremo Chihuahua® Cheese.

Img 2280

Josh DeBartolo

Governing Board, USA
Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Purview

Josh DeBartolo

Josh is a dynamic professional with a diverse background in finance, non-profits, and social businesses. With a passion for sustainable development, Josh takes a “listen first” approach and has spearheaded community-based disaster response efforts as well as initiatives designed to assist individuals combating rural and urban poverty both domestically and abroad. He currently serves as COO of a healthcare technology company, overseeing operations and implementing innovative solutions to improve health equity and access to expert care.

Channa North Hoffstaed

Channa North-Hoffstaed

Board Chair, USA
VP Professional Services NA at Kinaxis

Channa North-Hoffstaed

I volunteer for Surge because of the commitment to provide sustainable and community-driven solutions to help end the cycle of poverty. There is a humility in partnering with communities that is truly transformative and long-lasting. Visiting Haiti and working directly with Surge’s field partners has so far been my most compelling experience with the organization. For me, seeing the strong community relationships reinforced the uniqueness of Surge’s approach to locally-led development. Through my professional consulting experience, I’ve provided strategic direction to several leading corporations. I really enjoy offering this service to Surge and simultaneously turning it into tactical execution. In my free time, you’ll likely find me training for my next marathon.

Headshot Long 4000

Chris Beukenkamp

Governing Board, USA
Senior Director, Technology and AI Strategy at Salesforce

Chris Beukenkamp

Chris has spent over 25 years in software and IT working across the globe. He has lived in London, Canada, China and Taipei while managing teams and traveling with family all over APAC. Currently, he advises some of the world’s biggest retailers as a Distinguished Enterprise Architect at Salesforce. His family mantra and giving focus is “God, Kids and Animals” and is very excited to join the board at Surge and bring his expertise to help bring clean water and sanitation to children around the world.

Anna Paul

Anna Paul

Operations Director, USA
Director of Administration for the Village of Barrington Hills

Anna Paul

We’re so lucky to not have to think about the safety of our water. No one should have their future limited by access to safe water and sanitation. I dedicate my time to this cause because of the inspiring way Surge integrates with communities and becomes a part of them to solve this global issue. I know we are making a sustainable difference. Professionally, I’m an administrator and an organizer, and I apply these skills to to my work with Surge — where I get things working better and more efficiently. In my free time, you’ll find me at a fencing tournament.

Florence Ringe

Florence Ringe

Executive Director, POPOW, Uganda

Florence Ringe

I’ve ended up where I am because I have the passion and will to help the poor, needy, vulnerable, voiceless and invisible people especially women, children and the youth. My personal mission is to empower women, youth, orphans and vulnerable children to realize their full potentials for sustainable livelihoods. Surge is a Great, Reliable, Flexible and passionate partner. Before Surge, much of POPOW’s ideas remained in the book with no funds or additional ideas to bring them to reality. We were like a bird without wings to fly. We are so grateful and appreciative of Surge’s immense, invaluable support. Together, we’ve transformed and changed lives.

Dr. Pierre Erol Rene

Dr. Pierre Erol Rene

Director, ASSHLA, Haiti

Dr. Pierre Erol Rene

I’m a Doctor that cares about helping the most disadvantaged people improve their living conditions and live with dignity. I built an organization with friends to do this in Haiti in service of better drinking water, health, employment and housing. With a global vision to live in a world of solidarity, I looks forward to continued work with Surge and other partners to deliver on economic self-sufficiency. My partnership with Surge for Water has already helped me a lot in my mission.

Ashley Quinlan

Ashley Quinlan

Operations & Development Manager

Ashley Quinlan

Ashley is Operations and Development Manager at Surge for Water, and has been with the organization since 2015. With a degree in environmental science, she’s passionate about supporting solutions that serve both people and the planet, and Surge’s mission fulfills this. Her daily role involves working with Surge’s field partners to support their work and success. When she’s not working on helping to solve the global water crisis, you can find her engrossed in the local culture of wherever she currently calls home or reading a book.

Marita Peters

Marita Peters

Executive Director, UAE

Marita Peters

Surge’s mission to uplift and empower those most in need through life-giving water resonates deeply with me. My deepest desire is to do as much as I can for humanity, and Surge enables me to do so. Visiting Surge’s field partners and working, dancing and singing with the community is what I love the most. My passion for the cause gave me the courage to leave the corporate path and instead be a voice for our planet and its people. My diverse experiences in finance, human resources, sales, and parenting are all skills I use every day in running Surge’s UAE chapter.

Shilpa Alva

Shilpa Alva

Founder, Executive Director, Board Member

Shilpa Alva

I started Surge in response to a deep calling to give back to people who were less fortunate than me, and to be an active part of addressing poverty, injustice, and inequality in our world. Through Surge’s mission and model, I found an unanswered need and a way to fulfill my calling. Surge is one of my life’s biggest loves — it’s truly an extension of my mind, heart, and soul. It’s been so fulfilling and motivating being a part of Surge’s story and its global family, who are all connected by love and a desire to make our world a better place. My professional and educational experiences in engineering, public policy, supply chain, and management consulting are effectively put to use in running the organization.

See our founder, Shilpa Alva at TEDx