A spotlight on... Dig Deep (Africa)

Part of the GoodFX Theory Of Change is to shine a light on small charities doing incredible work. Today, we're putting a spotlight on Dig Deep (Africa), a remarkable organisation committed to ensuring every resident in Kenya has access to clean water, safe toilets, and good hygiene, aligning with the UNSDGs.

Founded in 2007 by a collaboration between Kenyan women's rights activist and UN Person of the Year Agnes Pareyo, alongside co-founders Jo and Pete, Dig Deep has been transforming the provision of water and sanitation in Kenya.

The Dig Deep journey

Agnes Pareyo played a crucial role in establishing strong local working relationships, which resulted in the charity’s first two water projects. Since then, Dig Deep has continued its mission, collaborating with the Kenyan government, local businesses, and communities to transform water, sanitation, and hygiene services for the 1 million people of Bomet County, one of the most underserved areas in Kenya. Here, two out of three people lack clean water, over half don’t have safe toilets, and children often miss out on basic hygiene education.

Empowering Communities

Dig Deep's core strategy revolves around empowering local communities. They believe that universal, sustainable access to water and sanitation will only be achieved if local governments, businesses, and communities drive the process. To this end, Dig Deep invests in training and mentoring local civil servants, businesspeople, and community leaders, ensuring they have the skills needed to sustain and accelerate progress.

"Sanitation in our community has greatly improved and we rarely go to the hospitals for diseases such as typhoid, cholera and many others because we are now drinking clean water." - Rose Chepkwony, Bomet Resident

Impactful Projects

Over the past decade, Dig Deep has reached over 200,000 people in Kenya with clean water, safe toilets, and good hygiene through practical solutions and long-term partnerships. Their projects include building water harvesting systems in schools and villages, constructing hygienic latrines, and delivering hygiene and menstrual health education through a network of local teachers and community health volunteers. The establishment of the Bomet County Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Hub, a new government department, is now driving change across the county.

Education and Awareness

Education is a key component of Dig Deep's work. The organisation conducts awareness campaigns to educate communities about the importance of hygiene and sanitation. These campaigns are crucial in changing behaviours and ensuring that the benefits of improved water and sanitation facilities are fully realised.

"As a school we are grateful for the construction of modern toilets and provisions of water. Since then our school has improved in terms of hygiene, academics and continuous surplus of water." - Ivyne Chelangat, student at Kamegunyet Primary School

A Vision for the Future

Looking ahead, Dig Deep remains committed to expanding its reach and impact. Their overall goal is to reach every one of Bomet County’s 1 million people by 2036, alongside their partners at the County Government of Bomet.

By supporting Dig Deep, the global community can contribute to a movement that not only addresses immediate needs but also builds resilience and capacity among some of the world's most vulnerable populations.

At GoodFX, we are proud to shine a spotlight on Dig Deep's inspiring work, and we look forward to seeing the continued impact of their initiatives.

To find out more about Dig Deep and how you can support their mission, visit digdeep.org.uk.