TapStand | Volume 4 Edition 1

Volume 4

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We [over] Came Together A Celebration 3 Years in the Making

Edition 1

The Kicuzi Project: From WaterBash to Watershed On a rainy November evening in 2017, just a few months after becoming CEO, I gave my first fundraising pitch to many of you for what would become our largest and most comprehensive water project yet: The Kicuzi Project. That night was perhaps the most stressful of my life: our caterer was booked for the wrong evening, we were in a difficult financial situation and it seemed everything that could go wrong, did. Minutes before the event was to start, I seriously contemplated locking the doors, flicking off the lights and calling it a day.

I’m so glad we didn’t. I’m so glad for all of you, and so many more who showed up, and have kept showing up in big and small ways so that today we can witness this miracle.

When we completed the project’s first phase 8 months later, I thought the road ahead must be smooth. Wrong again. Each one of the project’s three phases were met with setbacks, challenges, and what often felt like insurmountable odds. And yet, each time we got to witness the resiliency, commitment, and innovation of our team, the Ugandan people and of our donor community that just doesn’t quit.

When we had to pivot at the last minute because a local partner didn’t hold up their promise, our donor community was with us. When we expanded our programming to be more holistic so clean water could be as effective as possible, our staff rose to the challenge. When COVID came at us with everything, our partners came through. On and on, story after story.

On March 9, 2020, we commissioned the Kogabi portion of the project and a new standard had been set. It was the most advanced water project we’d ever done, and it couldn’t have been more timely as COVID came to Africa and clean water became even more critical. Our donors worked alongside our team to pair that clean water with soap, handwashing stations and training, keeping people safe, giving hope, and keeping them calm during such a challenging time.

In August 2020, the local government came to the table with the largest contribution yet received for a project and we broke ground to bring water to Kota in the middle of the pandemic! As donor generosity continued, we added on our largest school-based water and sanitation project in Kisabo Village, to reach more kids like Florence and Patricia!

In January, our team commissioned the entire Kicuzi Project and all its communities - each certified as reaching the highest standards of hygiene and sanitation by the national standards set by the government! It’s a huge accomplishment, one that we didn’t think possible back in 2017. And yet,

November 2017

May 2018

September 2018

August 2019

March 2020

April 2020

July 2020

WaterBash Event: The Kicuzi Project introduced and fundraising journey began

Broke ground in Kicuzi (Phase 1)

Broke ground in Kogabi (Phase 1b)

Tough decision to postpone Kota (Phase 2a)

Kogabi Commissioning program grows leaps and bounds!

COVID pivot to emergency relief work and hygiene awareness

Latrine p are com Kagyera School

projects mpleted at a Primary

thanks to you, over 17,000 people now have the most extensive water, health and sanitation work completed in our 30 year history. It’s sustainable, holistic and lays the foundation for a future filled with possibilities.

The story of Kicuzi is a story of transformation: of a region, a program, an organization and of very specific people. Stories in a place and time. And we couldn’t be more thrilled to share the celebration of it’s completion with you in this TapStand!

Jeff Golby

We [over] Came Together Nearly 1,000 people gathered together on January 12th for the Kicuzi Project Commissioning and it seems the only thing one could truly hear over the music, loud speaker and crowds was a collective buzz of excitement. This was a celebration 3 years in the making! What a beautiful sight to see so many celebrating through speeches, prayers and dancing.

“This commissioning ceremony was an indicator of the saying that ‘giving is not just about making a donation but about making a difference.’ We at ACTS say thank you for your generous support that enabled lives to be changed in Kicuzi through provision of safe water, sanitation and hygiene. We did not only celebrate the commissioning of Kicuzi, but also the impact from your support.”

- Richard Musinguzi, ACTS Uganda

A true representation of the partnership that makes this project so exceptional was seen by those in attendance including: the District Chairperson, the Resident District Commissioner, representatives from the Ministry of Water and Environment, members of parliament, district heads of departments and councilors, ACTS Canada representatives, ACTS Uganda staff and the Kicuzi community members.

With the generous engagement from all our stakeholders, and despite setbacks, uncertainty and the scope of the project, we over came together so that thousands more will taste sweet, clean water for generations to come!

Now that's something to celebrate!

August 2020

September 2020

February 2021

March 2021

June 2021

January 2022

Local government commits to project with largest contribution to date!

Broke ground in Kota (Phase 2)

Broke ground in Muhaha (Phase 3)

Extension to reach Kisabo Village added

Taps turned on at Nyamabaare Primary School in Kisabo

Watershed Moment: Final Kicuzi Project Commissioning!

Celebrating Kicuzi’s Community Impact

17,000 people

15 villages

86 taps

5 schools

13 latrine blocks

900 new household

65 toilets

Top 5 Highlights

latrines

600 improved

1. All 15 villages achieving the government’s highest standards of hygiene and sanitation 2. Receiving a $38,000 CDN contribution from the local district

household latrines

3. Turning on 86 taps (above 49 planned)

100%

4. Adding an extension to serve 9 villages beyond the original target

97% of households

now practicing handwashing with soap

of households collecting clean water from a safe source

5. Introducing innovations such as soap making, petroleum jelly making, and adding latrine floors

With clean water now within their reach, the Ahimbisibwe Family is realizing their dreams of sending their kids to school.

“We live in peace now! When I see this clean water that I am pouring into this glass for drinking and how pure it is, I see it as a miracle we never knew would reach our village!“

Florence in Kisabo Village can now attend school regularly knowing there are clean, safe latrines available.

- Justine

Moving on to Masha Village

- Maria

and settled As Kicuzi comes to a close, our team has set up System Flow y Gravit next the build to camp new into their oga Katan for pit for Masha Village. Excavation of the latrine the with ngs meeti and way Primary School is well under Stay district and heads of depar tment are taking place. ! essing progr are things how on s detail more for tuned

PO Box 30044 Moncton PO Richmond BC V7E 0A6 P | 778.855.4352

“I now feel fresh, I feel my body is glowing because of clean water! Now I can wash my clothes and get clean.

Thank you Acts for comforting our lives with this gift of clean water!”

E | info@acts.ca

Did you know?

Giving monthly is the mo st effective way to make an impact in Uganda! Join our 210 Source Supporters today at acts.ca/donate

World Water Day MARCH 22, 2022

These kids no longer miss school to collect dirty water or find a safe latrine.

They now know the taste of sweet, clean, life-changing water!

A gift of $50 will help create the same bright future for 10 more children.

Celebrate World Water Day by joining us to help more kids like these experience futures filled with health and hope by giving at acts.ca/donate

World Water Day - March 22 - is a global day set aside by the UN to highlight the importance of clean water. Together, clean water and hygiene training are the most critical needs for fighting COVID-19.

A small gift of water makes a huge impact.

Access to clean water means: · less time collecting water · more time in school · reduced sickness & better focus · independence and freedom over daily life · hand-washing stations and latrines at school · hygiene essentials education & training

A gift of $50 will help create the same bright future for 10 more children.

Give today at acts.ca/donate or with the enclosed envelope

PO Box 30044 Moncton PO Richmond BC V7E 0A6 P | 778.855.4352 E | info@acts.ca