To mark Global Handwashing Day on October 15, Project Maji – a Dubai-based safe water enterprise and a finalist for EXPO 2020 Global Best Practice Programme - has joined forces with locally based social activist, athlete and Nike Ambassador Manal Rostom to raise awareness about the importance of handwashing in rural Ghana. Her trip to Ghana coincides with the #Sweat4Soap campaign and will attract support from over 180 countries. Every kilometre logged by runners around the world, will be matched by a bar of soap and every 100,000 kilometres with a solar-powered water kiosk for rural Ghanaian communities in need.
As an icon for Muslim women in sports, Manal kicks off her three-day Ghana visit by meeting a multi-faith community where Project Maji is installing solar-powered water kiosk. She will interact with women and girls of all religions, share her story and inspire young generations to fight stereotypes, promote female empowerment and embrace cultural diversity.
Manal Rostom to #Sweat4Soap
In addition to being an iconic marathoner and female mountaineer, Manal is the
founder of the renowned Facebook Group: Surviving Hijab, a one – million, women’s-only, closed group on Facebook that helps defy stereotypes and empower women who wish to wear the hijab as a sign of faith whilst participating in sports. Manal will kick off her visit to Ghana by visiting a multi-faith community where Project Maji is installing solar-powered water kiosk. She will interact with women and girls of all religions, share her story and inspire young generations to fight stereotypes, promote female empowerment and embrace cultural diversity.
As an athlete and activist, she will run for water on 12 October, marking the start of #Sweat4Soap. The run will encompass a route along the Volta River of 8 km connecting two Project Maji communities: One that has access to safe drinking water since 2020 and one where the pipes are being laid to install a small solar-powered piped system. When running, she will speak to community members about the importance of clean drinking water and invite everybody to run along. To conclude the run, a handwashing training will be conducted for the local community to emphasize the life-saving practice.
As an athlete and activist, she will run for water on 12 October, marking the start of #Sweat4Soap. The run will encompass a route along the Volta River of 8 km connecting two Project Maji communities: One that has access to safe drinking water since 2020 and one where the pipes are being laid to install a small solar-powered piped system. When running, she will speak to community members about the importance of clean drinking water and invite everybody to run along. To conclude the run, a handwashing training will be conducted for the local community to emphasize the life-saving practice.
Expressing her enthusiasm to be a part of #Sweat4Soap, Manal remarked:
“Honoured to be collaborating with Project Maji as they aspire to beat the African water crisis. It has been my dream to give back to my continent and be more present combining sports and doing good. Thank you, Project Maji, for the opportunity!” – Manal Rostom
Sunil Lalvani, Founder & CEO of Project Maji: "This is a one of its kind partnership for Project Maji, and we are floored by the enthusiasm expressed by registrants from across the globe. It is inspiring to see people’s enthusiasm for providing handwashing essentials to those in need. We are grateful for this opportunity and excited to see the response #Sweat4Soap will receive."
#Sweat4Soap explained:
At a time when hand hygiene can literally save lives, 2.3 billion people do not have access to adequate water and sanitation. #Sweat4Soap is an opportunity for anyone who wants to help change this. Registrants can sign up at the #Sweat4Soap website to receive a race bib the following simple steps to contribute between 12-17 October 2021:
1. RUN or WALK any distance
2. Share a picture of the run and distance
3. Tag #sweat4soap so their contribution can be logged.
1 km = 1 bar of soap
100,000 km = 1 solar-powered water kiosk 200,00 km = 2 solar-powered water kiosks 300,000 = 3 solar-powered water kiosks
About Project Maji:
Project Maji is a non-profit safe water enterprise, working to provide sustainable access to safe water to rural communities and growth centres in Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond. We replace borewells and broken handpumps and design, develop and implement solar-powered water solutions. Till date, we have deployed 80+ solar-powered water points across off-grid communities in rural Ghana and Kenya serving more than 200 million litres of safe water. A registered NGO in Ghana and UAE, and an official member of the International Humanitarian City in Dubai, Project Maji is on a mission to serve 1 million people with clean water by the year 2025. To learn more visit us at: www.projectmaji.org
About Aqua for All Aqua for All is a not-for-profit organisation working towards catalysing an innovative, sustainable and inclusive water and sanitation economy worldwide. Aqua for All operates in Africa and Asia, supporting innovations and scaling up enterprises until they are investment ready. In addition, they use their funds to mobilise private and public capital to increase investments in water and sanitation. For more information, please visit: aquaforall.org