27%
of the Nepali population face challenges in obtaining safe and clean drinking water
44.000
children under the age of five die every year from waterborne diseases in Nepal
20%
of the population still collects water from open sources or boreholes, which are considered unsafe
Our Impact
Improving health:
by reducing waterborne diseases through raised access to safe and affordable water
Empowering communities:
by transferring knowledge and centre´s ownership to local communities
Increasing awareness:
by delivering education on the importance of clean drinking water
Strengthening the position of women:
by giving leadership positions to local women, breaking stereotypes
Creating a positive learning environment:
by supplying school children with free water every day
Fostering regional growth:
by boosting local economic growth and community independence
What Happened so Far?
Field Research
Our journey began with field research on the water quality, health situation, and community needs in the Nawalparasi region.
Opening of the Happy Water NGO center
Joint collaboration between NIDISI, the villagers of Devgaun and the local authorities led to the opening of our first water filtration centre.
+2.7 million litres sold
Until today, Happy Water provided more than 2.7 million litres (and counting!) of safe and affordable water.
+1000 school kids supplied with water
Since the day our filtering centre opened, we have supplied +400 primary school children with free drinkable water every day.
Increasing our reach
Today, Happy Water provides three villages with over 7500 inhabitants with access to clean drinking water.
Raising awareness
Together with the local community and school kids we ran multiple door-to-door awareness campaigns, addressing the dangers of water from unsafe sources.
Our Next Steps
- Awareness campaigns in cooperation with the local primary school
- Research on potential locations for another water filtration centre
- Replication of the filtration centre in new locations
Our Vision
Happy Water is a successfully implemented pilot project. It was designed to be replicated in other locations where communities struggle to access safe and accessible drinking water. Now, let’s expand!
Replication of the project
We will replicate this Social Business model in other regions of Nepal. We will choose the following project locations based on factors such as population needs and willingness for self-organisation, water quality or government long-term water infrastructure planning. Not every location is suitable!
Creating a network of communities
So far, we have learned from the community of Devgaun, and they have learned from us. But in the long run, NIDISI wants to be involved as little as necessary. While expanding in new locations, we will create a knowledge-sharing network of communities facing similar challenges. They will support one another in securing access to clean and affordable water for every Nepali.
Samjhana Choudhary
Centre Manager
“Before the initiation of the Happy Water project, our community faced severe water quality issues. The water contained high levels of arsenic, iron, and ammonia, and the smell wasn’t so good. Skin irritation and stomach issues were very common. During summers, water scarcity was a significant problem. The Happy Water Project has granted the community the right to clean water, eliminating health issues. Everyone now has easy access to filtered water right at their doorstep. People visit hospitals less, resulting in significant cost savings. Managing this center for the past five years demonstrates to our community that women can work outside their homes. It was a big deal here. It sets an example that women can pursue meaningful roles beyond traditional boundaries.”
“In the past, drinking unfiltered water was causing various health issues for both students and staff of our school. Teaching was disturbed due to these problems. But now there have been visible improvements. Fewer students are experiencing skin and stomach problems, indicating a positive impact on the health and well-being of the school community. I personally became aware of the importance of clean drinking water and extended that knowledge to my family, friends, and the broader community. Spreading awareness has contributed to a better understanding of the significance of clean water. I believe involving school kids in awareness campaigns for the community is beneficial, and I’m happy to contribute to these efforts. Ensuring a regular water supply to the school is crucial, and the ongoing efforts of the project are commendable.”
Ram Poudel
Principal at Janata Madhyamik Bidhyalaya school
