Imagine a world where every child goes to school with clean water to drink, hygienic facilities to use, and a safe environment to thrive. For the children of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, this dream is becoming a reality thanks to the Splash team, local governments, and institutional partners.

Together, we have achieved a monumental milestone: installing water filters and stations in every public school across Addis Ababa. This ambitious initiative now ensures that tens of thousands of children have access to clean and safe drinking water daily. Yet, our mission doesn't stop at infrastructure. We know that sustainability and education are key to transforming lives and creating lasting change.

Building Sustainability for the Future

While clean water stations are a critical first step, Splash's work in Addis Ababa extends far beyond installation. Through targeted sustainability programs, we’re fostering a culture of health and hygiene that empowers children and their communities for years to come.

• Hygiene Behavior Training
  • Clean water is most effective when paired with proper hygiene practices. That’s why Splash integrates hygiene education into schools, teaching children life-saving habits like handwashing with soap. These lessons are designed to be engaging, age-appropriate, and culturally relevant, ensuring that students not only learn but also carry these practices into their homes and communities.
• Menstrual Health Programs
  • Menstrual health can be a taboo subject, but we are working to change that. By offering menstrual health education in schools, we aim to break the stigma, encourage open conversations, and equip all students—but especially girls and young women—with the resources and knowledge they need to stay in school with confidence. Simple interventions, like providing sanitary supplies and ensuring privacy in school bathrooms, can make all the difference in a girl’s education.
• Operations and Maintenance
  • Sustainability also means ensuring that the infrastructure we’ve built continues to serve its purpose. Splash collaborates with local stakeholders to establish operations and maintenance protocols, ensuring that water stations, toilets, and handwashing facilities remain functional over time. Local ownership and regular oversight are cornerstones of these efforts, guaranteeing long-term impact.

Splash’s Intention to Exit

At Splash, our goal is not only to deliver clean water and hygiene education but to ensure these solutions are sustainable long after we leave. A critical part of our strategy is planned program exit, where we transition full ownership to local governments, communities, and partners.

This approach transfers ownership to local stakeholders so they can maintain the infrastructure, continue education initiatives, and expand the impact independently of Splash. In Addis Ababa, we are working closely with government agencies and local organizations to share our resources, strengthen supply chains, and establish robust maintenance systems.

Ultimately, our goal isn’t Splash in every school; it’s WASH in every school. By designing programs with an exit in mind, Splash ensures that the progress achieved remains sustainable and scalable, creating a legacy of long-term change.

Raising Awareness Through Global Events

Creating awareness is just as important as providing resources. Splash leverages global events like Menstrual Hygiene Day and World Toilet Day to spotlight critical issues and rally support for change.

• Menstrual Hygiene Day: In Addis Ababa, Splash organizes workshops, assemblies, and community events to normalize conversations about menstruation. These events celebrate progress while reminding us of the work that remains to ensure every girl has the support she needs.

• World Toilet Day: This day emphasizes the importance of sanitation, particularly in schools, where hygienic facilities are vital for health and dignity. Through public campaigns and student-driven initiatives, we highlight the role of clean and safe toilets in breaking cycles of disease and poverty.

These events provide an opportunity to engage communities, educate the public, and celebrate the shared commitment to building a healthier future for Ethiopia’s children, and children around the world.

Join Us in Changing Lives

At Splash, we believe that clean water, sanitation, and hygiene are fundamental rights—not privileges. The incredible progress made in Addis Ababa would not have been possible without the generosity of donors and the dedication of our local partners.

But the work doesn’t end here. We need your help to continue expanding programs, maintaining facilities, and spreading awareness. By supporting Splash, you’re investing in brighter futures for children who deserve every opportunity to thrive.

Donate today to ensure that every child in Addis Ababa and beyond has the resources they need to succeed. Together, we can make clean water and hygiene education a global standard.

Learn more about our mission and become a part of this transformative journey.

Let’s create a world where no child is held back by lack of access to clean water and hygiene. The future is bright—and with your support, we can keep it that way.