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Water flows down, to those who dig the canals

March 25, 2026

Networking and finding new partnerships: our colleagues Joëlle (Burundi), Jean Patient (Benin), Vanessa (Uganda), Yassi (Mali). (c) Join For Water

Join For Water at the African Water and Sanitation Association conference

“Seeing and being seen” is a key challenge for Join For Water within the landscape of all water stakeholders. And we are getting better at it: we are focusing even more on knowledge-building, expertise and networking, without neglecting specific actions on the ground.

One example is our membership of AfWASA, the African Water and Sanitation Association. Through this organisation, Join For Water gains new opportunities to influence policy, collaborate with key institutions, exchange knowledge and be a visible player. Four colleagues from Uganda, Burundi, Mali and Benin attended the AfWASA conference in Cameroon at the end of February.

PURE

Their story:

“We took part to meet organisations that share the same values. We came to exchange ideas, listen and present what we do in the African countries where Join For Water is active.

And it went down well.

Our stand saw a constant stream of visitors: students, researchers, water quality experts, practitioners curious about our PURE approach, the protection and equitable use of water resources. They wanted to understand how working with communities, based on ecosystems, leads to sustainable impact.

We were able to convey both the voice of the communities and the technical expertise we have built up over many years of engagement. Our discussions were rooted in everyday reality, not just theoretical frameworks.“

Integrated Water Resources Management

“We had also come with a clear objective: to strengthen our ties with AfWASA’s specialist climate group and to advocate for better integration of the principles of Integrated Water Resource Management into AfWASA’s discussions.

One of the highlights of the Congress was the opportunity to speak directly with Dr Blaise Moussa, President of the AfWASA. We were honoured that he not only took an interest in our ideas, but also personally appointed a contact person to continue discussions on how to further integrate IWRM into the AfWASA’s processes and future congresses.

For an organisation like ours, this is a significant step forward.

Advocacy, a slow process?

It can be, but this time we sensed real momentum. We are hopeful that issues relating to Integrated Water Management will be given a proper place in the discussions in the run-up to the next congress in Senegal. The work continues.

Stronger together

Attending AFWASA 2026, alongside professionals from no fewer than 52 countries, has reinforced our conviction: water management in Africa is a collective effort.

We returned home, encouraged by the contacts made, the strengthened regional connections and the doors that have been opened. We look forward to sharing our experiences further. The practical, innovative, community-led pilot projects designed to be replicated across the entire AFWASA network: young and experienced professionals, women and men shaping the sector.

There is an African proverb that has guided us throughout the week, quoted by the Executive Director of AfWASA

Water does not stay on the mountain; it flows down,
to those who dig the canals.

A powerful reminder: progress does not happen by itself.”

Original text: Vanessa Thompson

Vanessa-Thompson

Testimonial

My fondest memory? The constant stream of conversations at our stand. The energy. The curiosity. And that shared sense that, despite our different backgrounds, we’re all striving to tackle challenges that are deeply interconnected.

Vanessa Thompson, Join For Water, Uganda
Joelle-Munezero

Testimonial

Water and sanitation are issues that affect everyone: women and young people must be involved in decisions regarding water and sanitation. They are the first to feel the impact of these decisions, yet all too often the decisions are made by men.

Joëlle Munezero, Burundi
Yassi Diaby

Testimonial

I have the fondest memories of the close bond between the four colleagues at Join For Water; to me, Join For Water is like a family.

Yassi Diaby, Mali