In the heart of Lugazi, Uganda, where the rhythm of life beats with resilience, a collaborative endeavor led by Veterans Without Orders (VWO), ignites hope and health in the community’s core. Partnering with Levites Academy, a beacon of education in the region, the CPL David Unger Project pioneers a path towards clean water, empowering mothers and nurturing a brighter future for the next generation. Contaminated water sources have long cast a shadow over Lugazi, fueling the spread of diseases like cholera and dysentery, particularly affecting vulnerable children under five. VWO embarked on a mission to distribute 198 Sawyer PointOne water filter systems across 180 homes, 6 schools, and 2 hospitals. Household surveys echoed the community’s cry for help, underlining the necessity of clean water initiatives.

The project extends beyond mere distribution; it is about empowerment. Ten students from Levites Academy emerged as community liaisons, fueled with the knowledge to disseminate the lifesaving capabilities of Sawyer filters. With Levites as the central training hub, a hub-and-spoke approach was born, spreading this new capability across the community’s surface. The heart of this endeavor lies in the students of Levites Academy. Led by these young leaders who possess a passion to serve, villages were impacted with joy and hope. Mothers gathered, eager to learn, as students guided them through the assembly, maintenance, and troubleshooting of the filters.   One mother, her eyes alight with gratitude, remarked, “You have just saved me 6,000 shillings per day in firewood!”

Through engaging sessions led by Levites students, children embraced the importance of handwashing, weaving health into the fabric of their daily lives. Portable handwashing stations known as Tippy Taps sprung to life, offering a simple yet profound solution to sanitation challenges at the school.  The impact of the CPL David Unger Project fans beyond Lugazi’s borders. Data collected through mWater surveys illuminated the community’s health landscape, guiding future operations with baseline data. Collaborating with the Ugandan Ministry of Health, mobile clinics addressed immediate health concerns while championing long-term well-being.

As the mission unfolds, future plans are underway.  Follow-up surveys are being conducted that will chart the course moving forward.  Levites Academy is in a unique position as the sole organization in the area to integrate clean water practices into the culture, nurturing generations of healthy minds and bodies.  But the journey does not end here. With each filter distributed, each hand washed, the CPL David Unger Project paves the way for a brighter tomorrow. It’s a testament to the power of collaboration, compassion, and community, proving that together, we can turn the tide – one drop of clean water at a time.