Kornelia, known within her community as Grandma Ne, is 68 years old and makes woven mats and sells them to earn a living. She lives alone in the remote, mountainous region of Manggarai district, Indonesia. One of her biggest daily challenges is collecting water.
Meanwhile, 12-year-old Beatrice, who lives with a disability and uses a wheelchair, also faces difficulties accessing clean water and sanitation facilities in the refugee settlement where she lives in northern Uganda.
And for 23-year-old Rifat, who lives in a village in rural Pakistan where menstruation is already a taboo, living with an intellectual disability presents an extra hurdle to managing her period.
These individuals are all involved in inclusive WASH projects in their communities, which aim to understand and address the needs facing the most marginalized members of society.
From Indonesia to Uganda to Pakistan and beyond, explore this photo essay highlighting WASH projects that puts communities at the center of their research, design, and implementation.
Visit the WASH Works series for more coverage on water, sanitation, and hygiene — and more importantly, how WASH efforts intersect with other development challenges. You can join the conversation using the hashtag #WASHWorks.
About the author
Naomi Mihara
Naomi Mihara is an Associate Editor for Devex, working on creative and audiovisual projects. She has a background in journalism and international development, having previously served as an assistant correspondent for Japanese newspaper The Yomiuri Shimbun and as a communications officer for the International Organization for Migration in Southeast Asia. She holds a master’s degree in Multimedia Journalism from Bournemouth University.