Our Project:
East Africa

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BlueFuture Project

Access to clean drinking water

319 million people in Africa have no access to clean drinking water. In Tanzania alone, around half the population only has access to water from contaminated sources. A condition that is unthinkable for us. The consequences are particularly severe for children: every year, 7,000 children die of waterborne diseases in Tanzania alone. This condition is the result of exploitation, misguided development aid and free trade agreements that keep African countries trapped in the cycle of poverty. With our holistic approach, we want to change the status quo. That is why we invest in local solutions, by creating local jobs and perspective.

Did you know?

Every year, more than 100 billion USD are donated to Africa. Nevertheless, the number of people living in poverty has increased. Many experts blame development aid for it, as it often only provides short-term help and makes people and the country dependent on ongoing assistance.

Good to know!

African experts demand that traditional development aid is being stopped. They demand investments in local minds, approaches and solutions. Jobs, businesses and opportunities must be created in order for people to live self-determined lives and to solve local issues themselves.

This is exactly what we stand for.
With locals, for locals.

Our sustainable solution

BlueFuture Project

The water stations

We equip a community member with the award-winning, innovative water filter called »Nanofilter« and a kiosk. The Nanofilter was developed by our partner Prof. Hilonga from Tanzania. With this filter, locals can clean water from the local water source, filter contaminants and sell it to the community at a price that every member can afford. This strategy enables the creation of companies, jobs and opportunities for the locals, while an affordable, sustainable water access can be ensured. Through the economic cycle, maintenance is guaranteed without any further support.

On top, the revenue of the Water station supplies a regular tax income for the state. Those tax revenues facilitate the country’s independence from western aid in the long term. It empowers the government to create its own social services and a sustainable drinking water access.

BlueFuture Project

Prof. Hilonga und der Nanofilter

Our partner Prof. Askwar Hilonga is an award-winning chemical engineer from Tanzania. He grew up in a small village, without access to clean drinking water. For him and the entire community, waterborne diseases were ubiquitous. A condition that is unacceptable to Prof. Hilonga. For this reason, Prof. Hilonga set his sights on addressing water scarcity. He specialized in nanomaterials as an engineer and earned his PhD in the field. At the same time, he started working on an innovative water filter. The so-called nanofilter has since attracted a lot of attention and has already changed the lives of many people.

“My goal is to be a millionaire, but not measured by money, but by the number of people I positively influence every day” and “What good is my doctorate, what does all the fame mean if I don’t solve any problems with it?” are just two of his quotes that reflect his attitude very well.

The Nanofilter

The Nanofilter is an innovative water filtration system that is perfectly suited for use in rural areas of Africa. For this reason, Prof. Hilonga has already won eight national and international awards. Among others, Prof. Hilonga and the Nanofilter were awarded the “Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation” by the Royal Academy of Engineering from Great Britain. There, the nanofilter was extensively tested. The jury’s verdict was breathtaking. The jury chairman Malcom Brinded told BBC News: “This innovation could positively change the lives of many Africans, as well as people all over the world. The filter is already doing just that.

The contaminated water is purified in three steps. First, a sand filter removes bacteria, viruses and other harmful microorganisms. Next, fluoride, a neurotoxin widely used in Tanzania, is removed. The third phase is a nanomembrane that removes heavy metals, pesticides and other contaminants. A unique feature of the nanofilter is that it can be adapted to the local contamination of the water. Since each contaminated source in Tanzania has different impurities, calibration of the filter is immensely important. Before the nanofilter is put into operation, Prof. Hilonga’s team tests the local water source. After that, the filter is adjusted to the contamination. Thus, we can guarantee excellent quality of the water.

The process on site

The construction of a water station involves several steps. First, the local government is informed and involved in the process. This ensures that the solution is wanted and supported locally. Then, the community is gathered and trained. During this process, community members are made strongly aware of the water issue. Next, station leaders are trained and prepared to become self-sufficient. In this process, it is ensured that the nanofilter and the water station will exist in the long term. Meanwhile, the water quality is checked and the nanofilter is adapted to the local pollution.

Then it can start and the community can be supplied with clean drinking water!

This is Jacque

Jacque is a nice young woman from Arusha, Tanzania. She, like many people in Tanzania, had problems finding a job. She could barely provide the basic needs for herself and her two daughters. Now she runs a water station.

“Before, it was difficult. Very difficult. I didn’t have a job. Through this job, I am independent. I rented a house. My children can finally go to a good school. I am so happy. Most of all, I am happy that I can provide water to my community.”

Learn more & support us

WATER STATION

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How we help people help themselves by creating jobs….

SUSTAINABILITY

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How do we create a sustainable local water supply?

SUPPORTS US

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