An organization that has provided ram pump systems to almost 580 communities in Negros Occidental is one of the four global nominees in the water category of WAFA (Water, Air, and Food Awards) this year, a press release said.
A press release from WAFA said the Negros-based Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation (AIDFI) has been selected as one of the finalists for its initiative to fight the problems in water supply in uphill communities of the province.
The initiative has impacted 290,000 people as AIDFI installed about 1,200 ram pump systems in 580 communities which increased the amount of water available per person and decreased the impact of waterborne illnesses, improving education, and enhancing agricultural output, it said.
The nomination was also attributed to the AIDFI’s initiative that has trained over 1,100 local village technicians and employed 33 people with fulfilling regular, green jobs, and saves the environment 8,000 tons of Carbon Dioxide yearly, the press release added.
AIDFI’s ram pump project is among the four nominees globally in the water category together with Metamorphic International from Cambodia, Forest and Agroforestry Promoters from Cameroon, and the Mercy Projects Foundation from Tanzania.
WAFA is a Denmark-based non-government award-giving body that identifies and showcases initiatives that work on reducing the Earth’s environment and social challenges.
“This year’s finalists all show ingenuity, tenacity, and social entrepreneurship,” WAFA Chief Executive Officer Tina Lindgreen said in the press release, adding , “They are all silent heroes, bringing us hope and inspiration that all around the world communities secure their access to the basics of life in a sustainable way.”
The press release also said that WAFA invites the public to vote for their favorite project via their website wafaward.org, until June 8.
The winners will be chosen by public voting and celebrated at the WAFA online event on June 15, it added.*