Our new Adopt a Village model is a comprehensive and holistic approach to providing clean and living water to the poor through the local church. In each community the process may look differently depending on the local response but there are three essential elements involved in every village:
1. the local church
The local church is our partner in the local community. We give each church project staff comprehensive training on how to engage the women in participatory learning methods so that they work together to find solutions to some of the communities primary needs in regards to clean water and sanitation.
2. women
Up to 30 women are chosen from the community to participate in a comprehensive three year program designed to empower them in three areas:
- Sanitation & Hygiene
- Economic empowerment
- Leadership development
These women learn the importance that clean water and sanitation play in the lives of their family through the time they spend with the local church. Home based hygiene practices are then taught and implemented as a 'first step' to community wide clean water and sanitation solutions.
Throughout the entire learning process the local church ensures spiritual integration through storying and biblical modeling.
3. Community
During this time the women engage the community in the concept of WASH (water and sanitation hygiene) for the entire village. Through a series of meetings and interaction with our church partners, a comprehensive water and sanitation solution is designed for the community. With community funding, material and labor, each home is then equipped with a sanitary latrine and clean water.
Because the community is involved in every aspect of the problem solving, planning and implementation, the solutions are theirs and ownership of the project is not a question. The local church is also a financial partner in the project through your Neverthirst gift. Sustainability of the project is achieved through a per household monthly fee that provides for regular maintenance and upkeep.
About Funding
Our new Adopt a Village model is long-term (3 years) and when complete will provide the following:
1. A community water tank
2. Toilets and bathing rooms for each family
3. 24 hour piped water supply for each family
Because these projects are comprehensive, they are much more costly even though there is cost sharing between the community and Neverthirst. We ask that any group making a commitment to Adopt a Village take into consideration the longterm nature of this project and cost involved in its completion.
In order to participate in the Neverthirst Adopt a Village program, the community must be motivated and committed. This means there must be 100% participation regardless of socioeconomic, religious or caste standing within the community. It also means that they will contribute all the labor and local materials needed to complete the water and sanitation project. This intense participation requirement ensures ownership and sustainability for the communities that embrace their roles and responsibilities.
Because each community partnership and project will look different, our funding through the local church and community will vary based on the size of the community and scope of the project. Once this has been determined and a memorandum of understanding signed between the local church, Neverthirst and community leaders, your funds, along with church, government and community funds will be combined to complete the project.
Every village will collect a monthly fee from each household to support operation and maintenance costs in order to ensure the project is sustainable longterm.