Hello friend,

In the 20 years I've been involved with WaterSchool, I have learned a lot.

I've learned about the life-changing effect of clean, safe water. About how access to something so fundamental can unlock education, restore dignity and create opportunity where it once felt out of reach. I’ve seen how a simple solution, when placed in the hands of a community, becomes a catalyst for lasting transformation.

I've also learned just how important having the right partner is. At WaterSchool, we are fortunate to partner with Africa Water Solutions (AWS). Since 2017, we have worked with AWS's team of brilliant young Ugandan leaders to implement locally sourced, locally led solutions to the water crisis. The team's deep understanding of local culture and needs, as well as their passion, integrity and commitment, continues to inspire us.

This year, WaterSchool's team has chosen to update our logo and branding to reflect our partnership with the Africa Water Solutions team.

This change is about more than a new look. It is a reflection of who we are and who we will continue to be. It signals our belief that the most powerful, sustainable change happens when communities lead and when partnerships are rooted in trust.

As we look ahead, we do so with confidence. Confidence in our partners. Confidence in the communities we serve. And confidence in our simple, effective model that has already transformed over a million lives, and will continue to do so for years to come.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us. Your trust, support and belief in this work make everything we do possible.

With gratitude and hope,

 

Dave Ericson
Chair of the Board, WaterSchool

Dear Partners and Stakeholders,

The year 2025 marked a period of meaningful transformation and innovation for Africa Water Solutions and the communities we serve. Together, we expanded access to safe water, strengthened sanitation systems, advanced practical WAter, Sanitation and Hygiene (W.A.S.H.) innovations, and empowered families through life-changing hygiene education. What distinguishes this year is both the scale of our reach and the quality, sustainability and dignity embedded in every solution we deliver.

With your steadfast support, we implemented climate-resilient water systems, strengthened the capacity of local water management committees, improved access to menstrual hygiene services for girls, and supported households to adopt safe and improved sanitation practices. Beyond infrastructure, we emphasized community engagement by ensuring that every intervention is locally owned, responsibly managed and built to endure.

The stories captured in this report reflect lives permanently changed: children who no longer miss school due to water-related illnesses, women and girls who walk shorter, safer distances for water, and communities that now take pride in managing and safeguarding their own water resources.

As we look ahead, we do so with deep gratitude, renewed ambition, and an unwavering commitment to our mission. We remain dedicated to building a Uganda where everyone, everywhere, has access to safe water, good sanitation, and the knowledge needed to live healthy and productive lives.

Thank you for walking this journey with us.

With sincere appreciation,

 

John Ochieng
Executive Director, Africa Water Solutions

  • Professor Ponsiano Ocama, Board Chair, Africa Water Solutions, Uganda
    John Ochieng, Executive Director, Africa Water Solutions, Uganda
    Joseph Tumushime, Program Director, Africa Water Solutions, Uganda
    Sarah Nsonga Lutalo CPA, Chief Financial Officer, Africa Water Solutions, Uganda
    Richard Lau, Executive Director, WaterSchool, Canada
    Tony Woodruff, Africa Program Director, WaterSchool, Canada
    Dave Ericson, Chair of the Board, WaterSchool, Canada
    Gregg McNair, Board Member, WaterSchool, Panama

New Look, Same Mission: Clean Water, for Life

We are thrilled to share with you our refreshed logo. In aligning ourselves with the Africa Water Solutions logo, we reflect our longstanding commitment to this partnership and our belief in the model we have built together. It is a symbol of shared purpose, mutual respect and a future shaped through collaboration.

 

In 2025, your generous support reached over 82,360 people with improved access to safe, drinkable water. This includes 3,514 students at three schools, as well as patients and staff at four health centres. 

Please scroll through the slides below to learn more about the wide-reaching impact of your support.

 
 

A Proven Solution

Every year we track the relationship between our W.A.S.H. intervention and the prevalence of waterborne illnesses among the households we partner with. Year over year, we see an astounding drop in waterborne illness as the training and education takes root. In 2025, 16,119 households experienced a nearly a 100% decline in the incidence of diarrhea.

This year, we returned to communities that we worked with in 2018, 2019 and 2022 to find out if the original partnership led to lasting results. 

Here's what we found.

 

A Proven Solution

Every year we track the relationship between our W.A.S.H. intervention and the prevalence of waterborne illnesses among the households we partner with. Year over year, we see an astounding drop in waterborne illness as the training and education takes root. In 2025, 16,119 households experienced a nearly a 100% decline in the incidence of diarrhea.