The West Africa Water Initiative (WAWI), founded in 2002, was inspired by the vision of the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, and grew from cooperation with World Vision into a powerful public-private partnership with 13 of the world’s leading nonprofit organizations.

The objectives of WAI include:
1) Increase the level of access to sustainable, safe water and environmental sanitation services among the poor and vulnerable populations.
2) Reduce the prevalence of water-borne diseases, including guinea worm and diarrheal diseases.
3) Ensure ecological and financially sustainable management of water quantity and quality.
4) Foster a new model of partnership and institutional synergy.

To date, over 1,000,000 people have benefited from WAWI projects in Niger, Mali and Ghana during Phase I.  Phase II will cover the next 5 years and will focus on water, sanitation, hygiene, advocacy and governance.

Partners in the West Africa Water Initiative Project include:
* Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
* Cornell International Institute for Food, Agriculture, and Development
* Desert Research Institute
* Hellen Keller International
* International Trachoma Initiative
* Lions Clubs International Foundation
* The Carter Center/Global 2000
* UNICEF
* United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
* WaterAid
* Winrock International
* World Chlorine Council
* World Vision

WAWI is not a legally separate organization. It is a voluntary partnership of 13 organizations. WAWI has no staff. All the people working on projects belong to their own partner organization.

Activities and funds are coordinated and divided by policies of coordinating officers and committees of WAWI. Local African governments and organizations also participate closely with WAWI in the planning and operations of WAWI projects.

A few of the achievements include:
679 Wells drilled/equipped in Ghana, and 38 old systems rehabilitated.
16 small water supply systems constructed in Ghana.
721 wells drilled in Mali.
6 small water supply systems constructed in Mali.
238 wells drilled/equipped and 61 old systems rehabilitated in Niger.
131 school health and sanitation clubs established in Niger.
6,257 household latrines and 100 school latrine blocks have been constructed in Ghana.
20,442 household latrines and 127 school latrine blocks have been constructed in Mali.
2,469 household latrines and 75 school latrine blocks have been constructed in Niger.

More information on WAWI’s activities can be found on their website.