The Safe Water and Aids Project (SWAP) in Kenya in conjunction with the Illinois University in the USA was recognised for its efforts to provide clean water to vulnerable communities.
SWAP beat other small projects to emerge at position one in the Innovative Projects Award (small projects) at the third Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Water Awards 2023 organised in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Projects in this category were expected to have a capital expenditure of Ksh309.1 million ($2.5 million) or benefit 25,000 people or less.
In addition, the team was awarded Ksh15 million ($120,000) for its solar-powered drinking water ozonation project.
The team was awarded by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.
While acknowledging the efforts of the winners on Tuesday, January 11, he wished the winners luck in their noble goal.
"Today, we also honored the winners of the third edition of the UAE Water Water Award, which we dedicated to the inventors and innovators who find solutions to the challenges of providing clean drinking water to less fortunate communities. All the best to the winners of this noble goal," he shared.
Unknown to many, SWAP is a non-governmental organisation(NGO) that was established in 2005 and aims at improving the health and socio-economic empowerment of the target population.
"SWAP has gained its valuable experience working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and other government departments in partnership with various local and international partners for the implementation of diversified public health projects and research activities," the organisation states on its website.
Additionally, the NGO focuses on research to evaluate the health and economic impact of various interventions, health products, and technologies.
The winners came from eight countries worldwide that stood out in four categories including Innovative Projects Award, Innovative Individual Award, Innovative Crisis Solutions Award, and Innovative Research and Development Award.
All 11 winners were from Honduras, India, the Phillippines, the US, Kenya, Malaysia, China, and France sharing a total of Ksh123.7 million ($1 million) among them.
The award, now in its third edition, was launched to boost research centers, individuals, and innovators worldwide to develop sustainable and innovative solutions for water scarcity across the globe.
