A shared mission across borders
Success stories from the Africa learning exchange
Partners from 8 organizations joined the Africa Regional Learning Exchange in December 2024 at the Aqua Clara Kenya campus in Rigoma, Kenya.
In December 2024, advisors from CAWST and practitioners from eight of our partner organizations in Africa gathered in Rigoma, Kenya, for the Africa Regional Learning Exchange, a vibrant, six-day experience that brought together passion, purpose, and partnership.
Who was there:
Empowerment Rehabilitation Services - Liberia
Kirinda Youth Empowerment and Poverty Alleviation Programme (KYEMPAPU) - Uganda
Maji Safi Group - Tanzania
Participants from across the continent shared local innovations, hands-on techniques, and hard-won lessons. The atmosphere was one of mutual support and discovery, grounded in the belief that learning is strongest when it’s collective, and when knowledge flows both ways.
Hosted by Aqua Clara Kenya, the event balanced field visits with technical sessions. Attendees tested water quality, discussed menstrual hygiene education in schools, and took part in WASH technology demonstrations. But the heart of the exchange was a humble hole in the ground.
Shared knowledge:
A sustainable method for preventing latrine collapses
Partners from 8 organizations joined the Africa Regional Learning Exchange in December 2024 at the Aqua Clara Kenya campus in Rigoma, Kenya.
In sandy-soiled Liberia, latrine collapse is a widespread issue. Empowerment Rehabilitation Services (ERS) introduced an innovative, low-cost solution: the stabilized soil pit lining method. Working closely with CAWST, they piloted a simple but effective solution: a stabilized soil method that uses local materials to strengthen pit linings. The 18-month study proved this method to be not only cost-effective, but also far more durable than traditional pit lining options. Watch the short video to see highlights from the pilot project.
During the exchange, partners didn’t just learn about the technique, they dug, mixed, and lined a pit themselves. The excitement was contagious. Attendees from Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia eagerly committed to testing the method back home.
Partners from 8 organizations joined the Africa Regional Learning Exchange in December 2024 at the Aqua Clara Kenya campus in Rigoma, Kenya.
The ripple effect
Thanks to ERS’s leadership and the hands-on nature of the session, partners left with not only a new technical solution but also a renewed sense of possibility and connection. The stabilized soil pit lining method is now set to spread across the continent, with communities benefiting from a low-cost, locally-adaptable solution to improve sanitation and prevent latrine collapses.
The learning didn’t end with the closing session. A new peer network was born! This active community of trainers and implementers continue to share insights and resources, determined to transform water, sanitation and hygiene programs with solutions that are locally driven and globally supported.
What’s next?
The exchange will influence water, sanitation and hygiene projects in participants’ home regions by introducing new technologies and approaches. Our partners plan to test and adapt these insights to improve practices, increase service delivery, and address local challenges, especially in areas like gender-sensitive programming and sustainable infrastructure.
Partners from 8 organizations joined the Africa Regional Learning Exchange in December 2024 at the Aqua Clara Kenya campus in Rigoma, Kenya.
If you’d like to know more about the stories behind the scenes of our work around the world, subscribe to our Global Notebook series. You’ll be the first to receive updates and learn from our team as they travel worldwide—providing training and consulting to help organizations, communities and individuals access safe water, sanitation and hygiene.
Check out the Sanitation collection in our free online library. It includes innovative technologies like the Gulper, resources for sanitation in emergencies, workshop materials for latrine design, and lots more.
Our heartfelt thanks go to Rotary Club of Calgary Downtown for their essential support in making the Africa learning exchange a success. The relationships formed and the knowledge shared will ensure that this initiative leads to sustainable, long-term improvements in water, sanitation and hygiene practices across Africa and beyond.
