In the heart of Kumasi, Ghana’s second-largest city, an urban slum called Adum occupied a small corner. It was a place where hope and opportunities seemed distant dreams for its inhabitants, especially for the women who faced numerous challenges daily. Water scarcity plagued the community, leaving families vulnerable to disease and dehydration. But amidst the struggles, a glimmer of hope emerged with the partnership between Water for West Africa and UNICEF’s Urban Slum water kiosk global framework.

Water for West Africa (WfWA), a non-profit organization dedicated to providing sustainable water solutions, recognized the urgent need to address the water crisis in Adum. They joined forces with UNICEF, working with children and families, to create a green technology project that would transform the lives of the community’s residents.

The solar powered project aimed to establish water kiosks strategically located throughout the slum, ensuring easy access to clean water. These kiosks would not only alleviate the burden of long walks to distant water sources but would also provide employment opportunities for the local women. Known as the Women’s Access to Safe Hygiene (WASH) initiative, it sought to empower the women of Adum and foster community development.

Grace, a resilient and determined woman, was among the first to seize this opportunity. As a mother of three, she understood the importance of clean water and the impact it had on her children’s health. A key component of the project is not just focused on clean water, but empowering women to have entrepreneurial opportunities.  Grace now sell credits from her shop just a few step away from the pay-as-you-go water kiosk.  The funds generated provides a source of income for women like grace and her family as well as funding for maintenance and upkeep of the system.