Hard Workers

Date the team formed: 2007

Number of team members: 16

Total number of beneficiaries: 9052 

Amount Funded:$8,215

Hard Workers, Global Grassroots’ longest operating water venture has grown from a rainwater catchment system serving 120 households to 3 locations with two water tanks each, serving more than 9,000 people in total. In addition to providing water access, the team donates water to 64 households where there are handicapped women or family members who are blind, elderly, or sick. Profits are also used to pay school fees for 30 local orphans and buy health insurance for 15 vulnerable women and their families. All team members have been able to open their own bank accounts and they now each own a goat, which helps them provide more nutrition to their families. Additionally, profits from those who are able to pay for water have allowed the team to create a non-profit micro- finance fund for vulnerable women to start their own businesses. 

In August, Hard Workers received its seed-funding from Global Grassroots for a 4th water access point since the team’s inception in 2007. Construction is underway, and the water tanks have been ordered. They are working to secure the land title and have begun collecting data for their baseline issue study. The team’s mission is focused on ending the sexual exploitation of vulnerable women, including the blind and disabled, in exchange for water delivery, and addressing waterborne disease. Hard Workers’ new water access point in Runzense cell will reach 721 households (2884 people) who are dependent upon swamp water as their only water source, and who suffer from poor health and violence associated with water collection. Hard Workers will also provide free water to 20 vulnerable families, train the women in those families in income generating activities to address their economic vulnerability, provide them with health insurance, and teach the community about proper water treatment and hygiene to prevent disease. 

Team Photographs