To carry out our mission, Lifewater has developed three program areas - Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH*) - to help our national partners be more effective in their ministry to the communities in which they work. Generally speaking, a Lifewater “project” consists of the implementation of one or more of these “programs” with a national partner. See our strategy section for more information on how we work with our partners.
These three program areas involve the application of technology, but technology by itself will not bring about positive change in a community. Before any improvement in technology can be effective, perception and behavioral changes must take place within the community. Without these kinds of changes, which typically take a long time to bear fruit, a new technology is not likely to be sustainable.
Lifewater’s programs emphasize full participation of the community, with the goal of community ownership of any new technology. The classes in our Effective Community Development program introduce principles and practices that foster community participation. Furthermore, we try to ensure that we are using appropriate technologies, so that the community can maintain them.
