How an initiative is providing water to remote communities in northern Nigeria

The international organization Riders for Health provided an electric generator to a community in Nigeria to power their water pump and get them access to clean drinking water.

Gatgyeda Haayk's community garden tackles food access challenges in Metlakatla by patiently building rich soil over many years, enabling diverse crops to flourish despite Alaska's difficult growing conditions. This effort not only provides fresh food but also revitalizes cultural heritage by cultivating traditional plants like "Indian potatoes" and fostering community sharing.

To prevent utility poles from falling due to lack of maintenance, damaging homes and leaving residents without power, community members worked together to raise funds to build 18 new concrete poles without the help of any government entities or power companies.

Donors are cutting out intermediaries and funding local organizations through direct cash transfers to ensure a higher amount of aid goes directly to the people who need it. The flexibility also lets communities prioritize their needs as they see fit, as they know what will work best.

When the transformer that supplied an entire community’s power collapsed, and the government and power companies weren’t acting to solve the problem, local residents joined forces to crowdfund for a new transformer, helping to ensure the lights stay on and community members can continue to work and carry out their daily activities.

A community solar project in a rural Michigan town is making energy more affordable for low-to-moderate-income households. Fifty community members and organizations subscribed to receive energy from and support the construction of a solar array. As a result, their electricity bills are about $300 cheaper each year, and the local utility reported fewer late payments.

Investment groups and developers Voyage Investments and Shift Capital are working to raise funds to transform abandoned buildings into useful spaces that benefit the community, like a new high school or studio space for local entrepreneurs. These projects have brought upwards of 500 jobs to locals and help keep the community involved in the city’s development by allowing them to make small investments in upcoming projects.

A sold-out drag show at the Leeds Center for the Arts in Winchester, Kentucky, raised over $12,500 for the theater and its programs. The money raised came from ticket sale proceeds, performer tips, and donations.

Turtle Mountain Community College transitioned to geothermal and wind energy to reduce energy costs by 300%. The heating and cooling pumps are equipped with smart technology and sensors that allow them to be used at maximum efficiency.

Residents of Lapodiya, India, created a Chauka System to manage rainwater and restore groundwater levels in their community. The system is made of shallow holes and canals that hold rainwater for a few days in the monsoon season allowing the water to seep into the soil over time.