Day 6 – Empowering Communities with Clean Water: The NanoFilter Story

It was another indoor run for me on Day 6 of the Happiness Run for Clean Water and Gender Equality. In today’s blog post, I’m going to share more information about the NanoFilter Company,

Access to clean water remains a significant challenge in Tanzania and many other parts of the world. This is where the innovative efforts of the NanoFilter Company come into play. Founded by Tanzanian chemical engineer Professor Askwar Hilonga, NanoFilter is revolutionizing water purification and empowering communities, particularly through the employment of female entrepreneurs.

The Vision Behind NanoFilter

NanoFilter was born out of Professor Hilonga’s desire to address the devastating impact of waterborne diseases in his local village of Gongali. Using customizable nanomaterials, NanoFilter effectively removes turbidity, contaminants, and heavy metals from water, ensuring it meets WHO standards for clean drinking water.

This technology is not only innovative but also practical, as it can purify up to 1200 liters of water per day without the need for electricity.

Ruth Lukwaro, the Co-Founder and CEO of Gongali Model, plays a pivotal role in the success of NanoFilter. With over 15 years of experience in business management, Ruth has been instrumental in taking the NanoFilter from a university laboratory to the market. Her leadership has significantly contributed to reducing waterborne diseases in the Arusha region by 42.9% and creating jobs for 127 people, mostly women and youth. Ruth’s dedication to developing innovative business models and sustainable solutions has made her a role model for many in underserved communities.

Since the NSCC International Happiness Project began in 2018, my mom has collaborated closely with Professor Hilonga and his wife, Ruth Lukwaro. Through a partnership with NSCC Enactus teams, the Happiness Project has successfully established a water kiosk in the Njiro area of Arusha, providing 200 liters of clean water daily and generating an income of up to $15 CAD per day. Additionally, the project has set up two water centers in Mto wa Mbu and Kilwa Misoko, each delivering 1200 liters of clean water daily and income of up to $40 CAD per day. Each is run by a female entrepreneur who has received business training and continued support as part of the purchase price of each water station.

My mom is helping to arrange a call next week so that I can interview Ruth to learn more about their company and the female entrepreneurs running the water stations. We’ll talk about where the water center purchased through the Happiness Run for Clean Water and Gender Equity will be located, which I will update here on the blog, so stay tuned!

A Holistic Approach to Clean Water

NanoFilter’s mission extends beyond providing clean water. The company is committed to inspiring and empowering young people, especially females, to develop sustainable solutions for their communities.

By establishing water kiosks equipped with NanoFilters, the company enables local entrepreneurs to sell clean water at affordable prices, fostering economic growth and improving public health.

Empowering Female Entrepreneurs

One of the most noteworthy aspects of NanoFilter’s approach is its focus on empowering women. In Tanzania, many of the water kiosks are operated by female entrepreneurs, providing them with a stable income and the opportunity to support their families.

This initiative not only addresses the critical issue of water access but also promotes gender equality and economic empowerment.

Thanks to the generosity of those of you following the Happiness Run for Clean Water and Gender Equality, I’m on my way to reaching my $3000 goal to purchase a NanoFilter Water Centre to provide clean water to a community and employment to a female entrepreneur in Tanzania. I’ll be sharing an update on my progress next in the Day 7 blog post, so stay tuned! Please continue to donate and share my blog and social media posts to spread the word and help us reach even more people. Together, we can make a lasting impact!