SBB Research Group + Surge Team-up to Bring Water to Rural Uganda

The Abola community in Uganda is one of the hardest to reach for our partners at Prince of Peace for Orphans and Widows (POPOW). During the rainy season, the roads are so bad that it is very hard to travel from Kaberamaido (where POPOW is headquartered) to Abola.

In the community, there is a lack of water resources for those who are thirsty, and there is no health center for those who become ill. For those who live there, there are not enough classrooms for their children, most homes don’t have latrines, and the community’s infrastructure is poor.

The community well, which had been broken for over one year

Recently, the community leader and local teacher came to POPOW to request a water solution for his school and community. The children were walking long distances to find water at breaks and during lunch, and most students would decide to go home instead of returning to school. This led to high levels of dropouts, early marriages, and an increasing number of students who were losing an education. Even though the school is government-aided, those who stay in school are forced to learn in classrooms without doors and windows and are exposed dust, wind, and rain while trying to get an education.

POPOW managed to make it to Abola to conduct an assessment and found that the school borehole had been broken for over one year. For over one year, the school children had been walking over a kilometer to find water to drink. For over one year, the community had gone without fresh water. For over one year, the citizens of Abola had stared at the broken borehole, which needed a major repair they could not afford.

A solution through partnership

At Surge for Water, we believe access to water is a human right, and our friends at SBB Research Group also believe this.

Abola students collecting water from the new well

When they heard the story of Abola, they decided to partner with Surge to support the community and rehabilitate the borehole. After a long rehabilitation process, the borehole was restored. 1,968 people including 676 children at Abola Primary School and 1,292 community members now have access to water. Within five minutes of the water source’s reopening, the borehole was full of women and children coming to fetch water from the area they had been staring at for over a year.

Acen Mary, 26, was the first woman to fetch water from the newly restored borehole. She excitedly explained what this meant to the community: “We used to wash clothes once every two weeks because of the lack of water. From today, every household will be clean because all of the dirty clothes will be washed!”

Acen Mary, one of the first women to collect water from the new well

Jacob Owing, 15, also told POPOW how much this borehole meant to him. Before the borehole was fixed, he would return home from school and find no water in the house to bathe with. Because of his hunger and fatigue he couldn’t find the energy to walk one kilometer, wait in line for 30 minutes, and bring the water back, so his solution was to bathe once every two days. Now, as he hurriedly explained, he will be able to bathe “twice Monday through Friday and bathe three times on the weekends!”.

 

Areykot Caroline with her family’s new water filter

In addition to repairing the borehole, our partnership with SBB was will also distribute 180 water filters to Abola for community members to purchase. As community members are trained in business skills to improve their income, they will have the option of purchasing one of these water filters, just like Aryekot Caroline.

Having a water filter saves her family UGX 50,000 (approximately 14 USD) every month on medical costs to fight typhoid, and she can now use that money for other things her family needs — like food!

SBB also understands the need to educate and empower our communities through sanitation and hygiene (WASH) education. To this end, they have also made it possible for us to run several classes at Abola Primary school and the community on WASH, menstrual hygiene training including making reusable pads and soap.

Our partnership with SBB did much more than provide a community with clean water; it also inspired our friends at POPOW and reminded all of us why we fight to bring clean water to communities, especially those that are harder to reach. As our friend and partner Florence Ringe, Director of POPOW said:

Florence Ringe, Director of POPOW

“At first, I, personally, found it hard to get to Abola, due to the long distance from Kaberamido, the lack of transport to get there, the poor roads which are not accessible during rainy season, and the lack of water in the community. There isn’t even a shop to buy water to drink if you get thirsty! But I was challenged and inspired by the extra hand that SBB was able to extend to this community from thousands of miles away.

“If someone from afar can care this much, how much more should I care? I was inspired to work with this community and now, through this partnership, we have fixed the water source, conducted menstrual hygiene training, and conducted WASH training. We have been able to reach out to the youth who were considered ‘bad boys,’ and now they are seen as role models. Families are being transformed and reconciled. Thank you for the support and inspiration!”

If you or your organization are interested in sponsoring a project with our partners around the world, please contact us at friends@surgeforwater.org. Together, we can transform communities and bring water to those hardest to reach.

SBB Research Group is an early-stage investment management and research firm utilizing sophisticated and responsible strategies to manage assets totaling more than $200 million. While protecting principal and reducing portfolio volatility, we apply tested techniques to ensure our investments are maximizing their potential.

Written by Ashley Quinlan, Surge for Water Fellow

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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.

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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.

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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