Our approach

We build relationships between faith groups and organisations working in WASH. We begin with a discussion that is rooted in respect, humility and an understanding based on experience. Our aim is lasting community impact and behaviour change. 
'Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet 
come. We have only today. Let us begin.'

– Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1910-1997)

Working with faith groups

Our values
We understand that faith groups have a dual motivation for the work they do. 
  • A practical desire to improve the lives of their people and help lift them out of poverty.
  • A deep-seated sense, arising from their faith beliefs, of a responsibility to protect God's creation: people as well as planet.
Water and cleanliness play a major role in spiritual practice and belief in many faiths. Linking these heart-felt beliefs to practical action adds a powerful motivator for behaviour change. That's why we work to inspire faith groups to give greater priority to these issues.

We start by inviting faith groups to consider the role of water and cleanliness in their sacred texts and teachings. We develop tools that make the link between those teachings and practical action to address WASH issues in their communities. And we link them with experts who can share best practice and technical knowledge. 

Working with secular groups

Many faith communities lack the appropriate technical knowledge to address water, sanitation and hygiene issues. Sometimes they are not fully aware of the extent of WASH problems affecting their communities. That's why we broker partnerships with secular groups which do have the technical knowledge and WASH expertise needed. 

Although many secular groups work with faith schools, it is generally on an ad hoc basis. We encourage secular organisations to regard faith groups as development partners and help them understand how to engage them most effectively. 

Working in partnership

Brokering partnerships between faith groups and organisations working in WASH can create powerful alliances that lead to lasting behaviour change and widespread impact. 

While secular groups bring their long experience and deep understanding of these issues, faith groups contribute their trust and influence in the community. 

They also bring their structures and leadership, which means they can scale up activities beyond the immediate project. Projects owned by the faith community are likely to be long-lasting and sustainable.
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Respect  
We work with all the major faiths and respect and value the worth and dignity of all people, regardless of their religion, culture, gender, ethnicity or physical ability.
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People-focussed 
We respond to people's own priorities and needs. That means listening and learning. And it means putting people at the heart of all that we do.
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Justice
We give priority to working with the world's most disadvantaged and most vulnerable peoples. We believe in equity and justice for all and a fair share in the world's resources.
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Sustainable
We believe that to be truly sustainable and transformative, everything we do must be community-led and community-owned. It must also be low cost and practical.
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Collaboration
We know that no single organisation has a monopoly on knowledge, experience, resources or best practice. By working in partnership with others, we believe we can be more effective than on our own.  
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Sharing 
By learning from our partners and by sharing what we've learned, we support the world's poorest peoples in their efforts to improve their lives.
Image credits, from top: Washing hands, by Mary Bellekom. Catholic priest and Muslim woman, by ARC. Libunu Church community, 
Kenya, by KOEE. Delhi trio, by Atilla Siha. Vietnamese children, by Ingmar Zahorsky. Daoist prayer, by ARC. Muslim schoolgirls, by Susie Weldon.