In Zambia’s urban slums, families often rely on shallow wells, shared taps, or seasonal streams where water is contaminated with bacteria, parasites, and sewage runoff. Children are especially vulnerable: repeated diarrheal infections weaken their bodies, hinder growth, and can be life-threatening.

In Matero, cholera outbreaks have struck for four consecutive years, overwhelming fragile clinics and deepening poverty. For families already living on less than $2 a day, clean water is not just a basic need — it is survival.

Launched in partnership with the Rotary Club of Point Loma (San Diego), Clean Water for Health brings durable, family-centered solutions to this crisis:

• Household Water Filters: Proven to remove 99%+ of bacteria, parasites, and micro-pollutants.
• Long-Lasting Design: Rugged units with a lifespan of up to 10 years, requiring no electricity, batteries, or chemicals.
• Low-Cost & Sustainable: Saves families money otherwise spent on charcoal for boiling water.

- Climate & Health Co-Benefits: Reduces indoor air pollution and deforestation by lowering charcoal use.

After a successful pilot in 2022, we completed Phase 1 deployment of 700 household filters across Matero earlier this year.

Health Benefits: Safe water interventions reduce diarrhea by 30–40% (Lancet Infectious Diseases, 2005). Randomized trials in Zambia and beyond confirm that ceramic and biosand filters significantly reduce diarrheal episodes and improve school attendance.

Early Results: Families report fewer diarrheal cases in children, reduced medical expenses, and lower spending on charcoal.

Economic Relief: By cutting waterborne illness and fuel costs, families redirect income toward food, school fees, and savings.

Environmental Protection: Reduced charcoal use protects Zambia’s forests and lowers greenhouse gas emissions.

The ripple effects of clean water extend well beyond disease prevention:

• Women’s Empowerment: Exploring local assembly and distribution as income-generating opportunities.
• Child Development: Fewer sick days mean better school attendance and learning.
• Resilience: Every filter acts as a shield during recurring cholera outbreaks.

Our goal is to scale up to 10,000 household filters, reaching over 100,000 people in Lusaka’s high-risk compounds. Next steps include:

• Local Manufacturing & Supply Chains: Lower costs, create jobs.
• Program Integration: Pairing water filters with maternal health, HIV care, and malaria prevention for holistic impact.
• Community Champions: Training safe-water advocates to sustain adoption and track outcomes.

Proven Technology: Backed by global evidence.

Affordable & Sustainable: One filter serves a family for up to a decade.

Integrated Approach: Connects water access to wider health and economic resilience.

Strong Partnerships: Rotary and community leaders ensure trust and scale.

Clean water transforms families. A single filter can mean the difference between sickness and health, scarcity and resilience, despair and dignity.

Testimonials from POL Microloan recepients