At the beginning of 2026, we released our first appeal of the year — the Uganda WASH Appeal — inviting supporters to help bring clean water, safe sanitation, and hygiene education to vulnerable communities in rural Uganda.
We were overwhelmed with the response and are deeply grateful for your generosity.
Thanks to your support, we raised NZD $94,408 toward Phase III of this life-changing work. Every gift is helping move families closer to health, dignity, and long-term sustainability.
Why Uganda WASH III Matters
Through WASH I and II, significant progress was made across several villages — but critical gaps remain. Many families are still relying on unsafe water sources, sanitation coverage remains low, and preventable water-related diseases continue to affect children and elderly community members.
WASH III will return to nine villages to complete the work already begun — repairing boreholes, strengthening water systems, improving school sanitation, delivering community health education, training pump mechanics, and ensuring long-term local ownership.
WASH III is led by International Needs UK and delivered in partnership across the International Needs network — with New Zealand supporters playing a vital role in helping complete this work in Bufumbe and Wankwale.
Clean water changes everything. It reduces disease. It keeps children in school. It restores dignity. It turns daily survival into long-term possibility.
Meet Jessica
For supporters who followed the appeal, you’ll remember Jessica — 85 years old and living with Parkinson’s disease. For years she walked painfully to a contaminated stream to collect water, caring for her grandchildren despite her fragile health.
Today, because of WASH support, Jessica has a safe water tank and a home latrine beside her house. She no longer depends on others to fetch water, and she speaks with pride about the dignity restored to her family.
You can watch our Uganda WASH appeal video here:
Hear From Supporters Who Visited Uganda
Last year, a team from New Zealand visited Uganda on our Discovery Trip. Two supporters from that team — Naomi and Melissa — have shared powerful testimonies after meeting Jessica and witnessing the impact of WASH firsthand.
Watch this short video to hear their reflections and see what your support makes possible:
Thank You for Standing With Uganda
Your generosity is helping increase access to safe water, improve sanitation coverage, strengthen community-led management systems, and ensure families can thrive for generations to come.
We are so thankful to begin 2026 with this momentum — and with supporters like you walking alongside communities in need.
What’s Next?
We now have a dedicated Appeals page on our website, where you can stay updated on current and upcoming appeals throughout the year. Click HERE to view Appeals Page.
Our next appeal will be released in May, supporting our Sri Lanka Project.
A reminder that thanks to our New Zealand Government partnership, every $1 becomes $3 for impact — helping deliver clean water, stronger farming systems, and sustainable livelihoods for vulnerable communities.
Learn more about the Sri Lanka Project by clicking HERE.