A few words about

Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH)

Promoting access to clean water, improved sanitation facilities, and hygiene education
CVA promotes access to clean water, improved sanitation facilities, and hygiene education, striving to enhance public health and well-being, while fostering sustainable practices that empower communities to maintain their environments.

At Community Voice Alliance (CVA), we recognize that access to clean water, safe sanitation, and proper hygiene practices are fundamental to public health, development, and the well-being of all communities. The Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector plays a critical role in ensuring healthy living environments and preventing the spread of diseases, especially in marginalized and underserved areas.

The WASH initiatives spearheaded by CVA focus on improving water quality, sanitation facilities, and hygiene education while empowering communities to take ownership of their water resources and health practices. By embedding local leadership, community participation, and sustainable practices into every project, we aim to achieve lasting, positive change in communities across the regions we serve.

Why WASH Matters to us:

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) are integral to public health. Without access to clean water, proper sanitation facilities, and hygiene education, people are exposed to numerous diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and other waterborne illnesses. For vulnerable populations, particularly in rural and underserved communities, these issues are compounded by limited resources and inadequate infrastructure.

CVA’s commitment to WASH is grounded in the understanding that:

  1. Water is life: Access to clean water is a fundamental human right that is crucial for survival, nutrition, and general well-being.

  2. Sanitation ensures dignity: Safe sanitation is essential not only for health but also for the dignity and privacy of individuals, especially women and girls.

  3. Hygiene practices prevent disease: Proper hygiene, including handwashing with soap and the safe disposal of waste, are key to preventing the spread of infectious diseases and promoting overall health.

By addressing these critical areas, CVA works to ensure that no one is left behind in the pursuit of safe and sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene solutions.

CVA’s Approach to WASH

CVA takes a holistic and community-centered approach to WASH interventions, focusing on long-term, sustainable solutions that improve access to clean water, promote hygiene practices, and ensure safe sanitation. Our approach emphasizes community engagement, localization, and partnerships with local actors to deliver impactful and contextually appropriate solutions.

Key Components of CVA’s WASH Program:

  1. Access to Clean Water

    • Water Supply Infrastructure: CVA invests in the construction and rehabilitation of water supply systems such as boreholes, piped water networks, and rainwater harvesting systems. These initiatives are aimed at improving access to safe and clean drinking water.

    • Community-Based Water Management: We promote community-managed water supply systems, where local community members are trained and equipped to manage water resources, ensuring long-term sustainability and reducing dependency on external actors.

    • Water Quality Monitoring: CVA works with local authorities and communities to establish water quality monitoring systems, ensuring that water sources remain safe and clean for consumption.

  2. Sanitation and Waste Management

    • Improved Sanitation Facilities: CVA works to build and improve latrines, septic tanks, and public toilets, ensuring that every household and community has access to safe and private sanitation options.

    • Waste Management Systems: We support communities in developing efficient waste management practices, including waste segregation, composting, and proper disposal, to mitigate the environmental and health impacts of waste.

    • Open Defecation-Free (ODF) Communities: CVA supports initiatives that aim to make communities free of open defecation, promoting healthy environments and preventing the spread of diseases.

  3. Hygiene Promotion and Education

    • Handwashing Campaigns: Hygiene education is central to CVA’s WASH strategy. We conduct handwashing campaigns in schools, communities, and health centers to teach the importance of washing hands with soap at critical times, such as before eating and after using the toilet.

    • Behavior Change Communication (BCC): CVA uses a variety of tools, including community-based theatre, radio programs, posters, and training workshops,

  • to promote hygienic behaviors such as safe water handling, proper waste disposal, and menstrual hygiene management.
  • Gender and Governance Labs, promoting young women’s participation in political processes
  • Climate Governance Labs, where youth co-develop policy inputs for county climate action plans

These co-creation spaces ensure youth are not just consulted but embedded in the policymaking cycle—from idea generation to implementation and evaluation.

4. Digital Accountability and Open Governance Tools

Digital natives by default, young people are driving a new era of civic tech. CVA supports the development of user-friendly, youth-led digital platforms that:

  • Monitor government budgets and projects

  • Track service delivery and flag gaps

  • Report corruption, mismanagement, or delays

  • Mobilize youth around advocacy campaigns

Our OpenGov Toolkit for Youth helps local youth organizations use data storytelling, infographics, and social media to promote transparency and accountability.

One success story is the “PesaCheck Youth Dashboard”, developed with CVA support, which enables youth in Garissa and Wajir counties to monitor county budgets, track pending bills, and generate advocacy reports for public review.

5. Advocacy and Movement Building

We don’t just train youth—we mobilize them. CVA supports youth-led movements that demand accountability, advocate for policy reform, and amplify marginalized voices. Our campaigns focus on:

  • Electoral reforms

  • Anti-corruption advocacy

  • Access to information

  • Youth representation in county and national committees

We also engage religious leaders, parents, and elders to create enabling environments for youth participation, especially in conservative or conflict-affected communities. By framing governance as a collective responsibility, we foster unity across generations and identities.

The Impact of CVA’s WASH Interventions

CVA’s WASH initiatives have made a profound impact on the health, dignity, and well-being of thousands of people across the regions we serve. Key successes include:

  1. Improved Health Outcomes: Communities with access to clean water and proper sanitation experience a significant reduction in the incidence of waterborne diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and diarrhea.

  2. Enhanced Community Ownership: Through community-managed water systems and sanitation facilities, local communities take ownership of their own WASH resources, ensuring sustainable solutions that continue long after CVA’s direct involvement ends.

  3. Empowered Women and Girls: Access to safe sanitation facilities and menstrual hygiene management programs has empowered women and girls, enabling them to live with dignity, reduce absenteeism from school, and participate more fully in social and economic life.

  4. Behavioral Changes: Hygiene education campaigns have led to widespread improvements in hygiene practices, such as increased handwashing with soap and proper water storage practices, significantly reducing the transmission of diseases.

Collaboration and Partnerships for Effective WASH Solutions

We invite partners, donors, and individuals to join us in supporting our Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) programs. Your contribution can help us provide safe water, build sanitation infrastructure, and promote hygiene education to thousands of people who lack these essential services.

Ways You Can Get Involved:

  • Sponsor WASH Infrastructure Projects
    Fund the construction or rehabilitation of water supply systems and sanitation facilities.

  • Support Hygiene Education Campaigns
    Help us promote good hygiene practices through educational campaigns in schools, health centers, and communities.

  • Partner on Emergency WASH Responses
    Support our rapid response efforts in disaster-prone areas by funding emergency water and sanitation interventions.

  • Advocate for WASH Access
    Join us in raising awareness about the importance of access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene for all.

At Community Voice Alliance (CVA), we are dedicated to improving access to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) for vulnerable and underserved communities. Our comprehensive, community-driven approach ensures that we not only meet immediate needs but also foster long-term sustainability, empower communities, and promote health and dignity for all. By investing in WASH, we are laying the foundation for healthier, more resilient communities, creating a lasting impact that goes beyond access to water and sanitation.