CAP: Conscientious Aid Project
For a Better Future
Suggested Organisations
The grass-roots organisations listed on this page address specific areas under the umbrella of sanitary aid. Each does so in a way which takes account of the complexities surrounding the issues and in each case, localised action focuses on setting up long-term systems to help people lift themselves out of hardship. Most importantly, each shows an awareness of the way that poor sanitation impacts different members of the community in different ways and to different extents, adapting their methods and focusing aid to help those who need it the most. The community is included in decision-making processes so their culture is accounted for, and each is transparent about where the money goes, as evidenced on their websites.
We have included links to the donation pages of each so you can find out more and consider investing or making a donation. It cannot be emphasized enough just how important their work is, and how transformative to the lives of those who it affects.
Female Hygiene
Women are a lot more vulnerable to the consequences of poor hygiene, being more likely to develop UTIs, navigating menstruation and pregnancy, and are most often the ones walking for, and cooking and cleaning with the water in the first place. The sanitation problem is a female problem, and these grassroots charities have taken account of that.
Clean Water
The issue of providing clean water lies at the heart of sanitary aid - without clean water to drink and clean things with, whole communities are vulnerable to preventable water-borne diseases like malaria and yellow fever.
The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine
LSHTM
LSHTM has more than 30,000 alumni in over 180 countries working in government, academia, international agencies and health services.
However, if you are uncomfortable with donating to charities that cooperate with governments, then this is something that must be highlighted.
Blood:Water
The Fuel
This charity supports the global inequality issue with WASH. What makes this charity unique to other larger corporations is that they stand by “The most successful way to create a sustainable water project is for local leaders at the community level to take ownership of and lead the project”. This strategy minimises the chances of a white saviour situation, which can be very problematic within the aid sector.
Global Grassroots
Step Forward venture
They help groups to install water tanks, ensuring women do not have to face sexual exploitation during their attempts to gather water from far away collection points, and educate parents on children’s nutrition. This charity has continued to help to fight inequalities which are stopping people from receiving their basic human necessities.
Pandemic Protection
Since the Covid 19 pandemic began, communities across the world have been disproportionately affected; poorer, more rural regions have been the worst hit, with thousands dying directly or indirectly as a result of the virus, deaths which should have been preventable. It is the work of non-profit organisations like the ones listed below that are taking on the bulk of providing things like tests, sanitation stations and spreading education, to protect the most vulnerable.
Uttishtha Foundation
Covid-19 Help
Based not only in urban areas but also in more isolated villages across Uttar Pradesh, this group distributes Family Survival Kits which include basic rations along with Corona protective gear like masks, bathing and washing soaps. Disadvantaged elders and large families are especially prioritised.