One drop at a time
Making a difference with water is nothing new. It's all about how you do it. That's why our franchise model is the solution.
See our solution
Little by little, a little becomes a lot
Our aim is to make the world aware that community-led solutions are key to improving health. That's what makes our approach unique. We combine traditional water systems and health promotion with data, technology, and pooled funding, forming a franchise concept that creates social impact and economic return.
Here's what makes our franchise model unique:
We give communities and entrepreneurs (franchisees) the opportunity to become the owner and manager of a successful water enterprise. We provide access to finance for their initial investment, on one condition:
That the franchisee invests at least 15% of the initial investment before we kickstart the project. This increases ownership and responsibility.
We renovate existing or build new water systems together with the community to ensure we meet their needs.
The water supply is combined with education on good hygiene, provided by local health care providers.
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With our technology we guarantee access to safe and readily available water throughout the year, with a maximum downtime of 72 hours, compared to the average 27 days.
We combine the expertise of local companies, a private partner (MegaGroup) and an international NGO (Amref Health Africa) to reach our goal.
We conduct groundwater scans, have contracts with local suppliers, and use solar energy, prepaid water meters and a monitoring dashboard to ensure a sustainable solution.
Our projects
To ensure impact lasts, we monitor all our projects, new and old. We fix what's broken, learn from out mistakes and celebrate our successes.
See our projects
Kumpa
- Location: Kajiado County
- Kumpa is a community of ca. 2,800 people and 5,740 livestock
- A high water scarcity is observed
- The new installation could serve Kumpa market, a health facility, and a primary school
- WaterStarters activities; borehole drilling, pump installation, solar works, storage, pipe works, kiosks and health programme
Naserian
- Location: Kajiado County
- Naserian is a community of ca. 1,500 people and 850 livestock
- A high water scarcity is observed
- The new installation could serve community and a primary school
- WaterStarters activities; borehole drilling, pump installation, solar works, storage, pipe works, kiosks and health programme
Ololepo
- Location: Kajiado County
- Ololepo possesses an aging borehole that was drilled in the year 1963. Unfortunately, it has been non-functional since the year 2022
- WaterStarters activities; refurbish borehole, meter installation, solar works, storage, pipe works, kiosks, secure borehole with fence and health programme
Kima
- Location: Kajiado County
- Kima is an existing privately managed water enterprise located in Kima shopping center with a community of ca. 2,000 people but with a market potential of 6,000 people
- Main challenge is the lack of adequate water to meet the rising water demand
- WaterStarters activities; borehole drilling of additional borehole, pump installation, solar works, storage, pipe works, kiosks and health programme
swiping!
Our solution
Hi, I’m a WaterStarter.
Are you?
We’re a group of mission-driven individuals who believe in the power of water and collaboration to create lasting health change. Our mission is to radically improve the situation of 1.5 million Kenyans in water stressed areas over the coming 7 years. Together with communities, entrepreneurs, and with you!
News and impact stories
Water at the end of the tunnel
Exciting news alert! You might not expect it, but working for WaterStarters can be quite nerve-wracking. Kennedy Omwaka and Jamlick Mutie experienced...
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Impact story Kumpa
Last month, we opened our first borehole and which is now providing safe and clean water to the entire community. We recently spoke with Lydia, a...
5 questions for Bernard Verburg
1. The WaterStarters project is the outcome of a project you started immediately after joining MegaGroup. Why is the WaterStarters project so...
First WaterStarters borehole a fact!
After months of consultations, discussions and (much) patience, the time has finally come. The first contract between a WaterStarters franchisee and...