​+256 392 820310 
 P. O. Box 361900, Gulu - Uganda

Global Pathways Foundation

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)  

Overview 

We expand access to safe and reliable water, promote hygiene and sanitation practices, and strengthen community water management systems to improve health, dignity, and resilience—especially for women and children. Strengthening Access to Safe Water and Healthy Environments GPF has played an active role in expanding access to safe, reliable, and sustainable water sources in underserved and post‑conflict communities in Northern Uganda. Recognizing that water access is central to health, education, and dignity, our WASH interventions have focused not only on infrastructure, but also on behavior change and community ownership. In the past, GPF has supported communities to:
Construct and rehabilitate boreholes, protected springs, and water collection points to reduce long distances traveled for water—especially by women and children.
Promote household‑level safe water treatment, storage, and handling practices to reduce waterborne diseases such as diarrhoea.
Improve sanitation and hygiene conditions through community education, hand‑washing promotion, and support to schools and public institutions.
Establish and strengthen Water User Committees, equipping them with skills to manage, repair, maintain, and protect water sources.
By integrating WASH with health, education, and protection activities, GPF has contributed to improved hygiene practices, reduced illness, increased school attendance, and stronger community ownership of water systems. These efforts have helped communities live with greater dignity and resilience, even in challenging environments.

How we work?

1. Providing Safe and Reliable Water Sources
We work with communities and authorities to ensure consistent access to clean water by:
• Constructing and rehabilitating boreholes, wells, and protected springs
• Installing rainwater harvesting systems
• Supporting piped water networks and water kiosks
• Ensuring water points meet safety, accessibility, and sustainability standards
Our goal is to bring water closer to households and reduce the burden—especially on women and children—of long daily walks.

2. Promoting Safe Water Practices
Access to water is not enough—communities also need knowledge to use it safely.

We promote:
• Safe water storage and treatment at household level
• Use of filtration systems and chlorine tablets
• Hygiene behavior change communication
• Community demonstration sessions on safe water handling
This helps reduce waterborne diseases and keeps families healthy.

3. Strengthening Community Water Management
We empower communities to manage and maintain their water systems effectively.
This includes:
• Training Water User Committees (WUCs)
• Supporting inclusive management structures with women and youth participation
• Providing tools and skills for basic repairs
• Developing community maintenance plans
Locally owned water systems last longer and serve more people.

4. Ensuring Inclusive and Equitable Access
We make sure no one is left behind.
Our water programs are designed to support:
• Children, especially girls who often collect water
• Persons with disabilities and older persons
• Refugee and host communities
• Schools, health facilities, and public institutions
We work to ensure water access is safe, inclusive, and free from discrimination.

5. Integrating Water with Health, Education, and Livelihoods
Clean water is central to all areas of life.
We integrate water solutions across sectors by:
• Supporting school WASH facilities to keep children in class
• Improving water access in health facilities for safe service delivery
• Linking water to agriculture and livelihood activities
• Reducing protection risks, especially for women and girls
When water systems improve, community wellbeing improves too. 

Our Approach 

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✔ Community-Centered

We involve communities at every stage—from planning to management—to ensure ownership and sustainability.

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✔ Rights‑Based

We uphold water as a human right and work to ensure services are inclusive and equitable.

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✔ ​Environmentally Responsible

We promote sustainable water use, groundwater protection, and climate‑resilient water solutions.

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✔ Evidence‑Informed

Our interventions are guided by data, assessments, and continuous learning to improve impact.

Borehole Pump

Impact 

Through our clean water initiatives, communities experience:
• Reduced incidence of waterborne diseases
• Improved hygiene and sanitation practices
• More time for children to attend school and for families to pursue livelihoods
• Greater dignity and safety, particularly for women and girls
• Stronger, community owned water systems that last
Access to clean water transforms lives—and strengthens communities 

Our Commitment 

We are committed to ensuring that every person has access to safe, clean, and sustainable water sources. By partnering with communities, governments, and global allies, we build water systems that are reliable, inclusive, and resilient—today and for generations to come.