What we do

Faith in Water was set up with two key aims: 
  • To inspire faith groups to focus more on water, sanitation and hygiene in their teachings, traditions and practices. 
  • To broker partnerships between faith groups and secular organisations working in WASH.

We have a long experience and knowledge of working with faith communities. We also understand how secular groups work and what they need. By building closer relationships between faith and secular organisations, we aim to help each group to work more effectively with each other – for the benefit of people, nature and the planet.
'The biggest change to many of the activities 
we are doing is hope. So many people have 
lost hope. We have to change this and show 
that tomorrow will be better than today.'

– Muguluma Hamed, chair, Uganda Faiths 
Network on Environment Action

The crisis

Dirty water and inadequate sanitation are the second biggest killer of children aged under five worldwide. More than a third of the world's population – 2.5 billion people – lack adequate sanitation facilities. And one in nine – 750 million – lack access to safe drinking water. 

Our approach

Water and cleanliness play a role in belief and practice in many faiths. Linking those beliefs to practical action adds a powerful motivator for behaviour change. We inspire faith groups to give greater priority to these issues and broker partnerships with secular organisations.

Engaging faith schools

Faith groups are involved in more than 50% of schools worldwide. Working with faith schools offers a unique opportunity to engage the wider community. That's because they are usually part of a bigger faith structure – one that is highly trusted and influential. 
With thanks to Creative Commons photographers. Picture credits, clockwise from top: Washing hands in Ethiopia, UNICEF Ethiopia. 
​Cambodian children, by Moss Lomacar. Kenyan girls, by Mary Bellekom. Kibera child, by Mary Bellekom.