Our chosen charity for the 2014-2015 academic year is Dig Deep.

 

As a charity, Dig Deep was founded in 2007 by Jo Zeevi and Peter Fitzsimmons, who at the time were studying at Nottingham and Exeter University. They were inspired to start the charity through working with our patron Agnes Pareyio (the first ever female Maasai councillor and UN Person of the Year in 2005) and the Governmental Water Resource Management Authority. In partnership with Agnes, Jo and Pete fundraised in the UK and worked with two communities in Western Kenya to complete Dig Deep’s initial water projects.

 

They now have a diverse team of staff, advisors, trustees and partners in Kenya and the UK who are supported by over 300 dedicated volunteers.

 

Dig Deep works with rural communities in Kenya to access water and sanitation. Working together with the local communities, Dig Deep are able to implement training and appropriate technologies to bring about sustainable improvements in health and education. They aspire to enable people to break the cycle of poverty and transform their own lives.

 

Water and sanitation was chosen as a key focus of the charity because they are fundamental requirements for enabling people to break the cycle of poverty. Kenya is their chosen location because in the country, 16.5 million people don’t have access to safe water and over 30 million people don’t have access to adequate sanitation.

 

Dig Deep aim to provide appropriate technologies such as taps, shower facilities and toilets. However, they also understand that simply providing these facilities is not enough on its own, therefore they work with group leaders to provide training and insight into the importance of sanitation.