153. Nurturing Resilience: WASH in Malawi

How might sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) solutions strengthen health systems and communities when designed through a holistic, locally-driven lens? Drawing on Freshwater Project International’s on-the-ground work in Malawi, this presentation highlights a collaborative partnership with Engineers Without Borders USA and the Xylem Impact Project to address critical infrastructure gaps. Together, these partners are upgrading water and sanitation systems at every health center across Malawi's Zomba District, ensuring reliable access to clean water, safe sanitation, and improved hygiene practices where they matter most.Through case studies, lessons learned, and community-centered design principles, the presentation illustrates how a systems approach to WASH builds long-term resilience in resource-constrained settings. It examines the integration of technical engineering solutions, local capacity building, and cross-sector collaboration to improve health outcomes, reduce risk, and create scalable impact. The speaker will describe insights into how coordinated partnerships and sustainable infrastructure investments can transform district-wide healthcare delivery and serve as a model for resilient WASH programming across sub-Saharan Africa.Our speaker, Heidi Rickels, is the Executive Director of Freshwater Project International, where she leads global efforts to expand access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene through resilient, solar-powered systems. With more than two decades of experience in humanitarian work, sustainability, and community-centered development, she specializes in building partnerships that drive long-term impact. Heidi works at the intersection of health, clean energy, and global development, collaborating with organizations, youth, and innovators to advance equitable solutions. She is passionate about empowering communities and creating pathways for sustainable change.To learn more about Freshwater Project International, go to:https://www.freshwaterintl.org https://youtu.be/DPbIdK5qEUw?si=qGJIldJACXQyolPG