VOX United is a humanitarian non-profit development organization that funds, implements, and manages sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene programs. Through overland travel, they can reach remote villages that otherwise would not have access to clean, safe water. VOX United received a $5,000 grant from the Overland Expo Foundation that went towards their Moto Mechanic Initiative.
The grant was used to restore 4 non-functioning wells in rural Mozambique providing clean, safe drinking water to 4,543 children and their families.
We’re incredibly grateful and celebrate what we’ve been able to accomplish together. When developing communities have clean drinking water it flips the script on everything—diseases are diminished, lives are extended, and hope becomes real.
MotoMechanic Initiative
A MotoMechanic is a certified well mechanic that travels on motorcycle to execute light repairs and implement/reinstate WASH committees.
Once a bank of non-functioning wells has been identified in a specific region, the Vox MotoMechanic teams kick into action. Well mechanics and designated government workers travel by motorcycle into the bush to asses, mobilize, and execute light, turn-around repairs on restorable pumps.
Complex wells that require robust parts, extended repair times, and more labor workers are placed on a list and addressed at a later date by a specialized Vox Expedition Team.
Vox MotoMechanics are also equipped for community mobilization and sustainability development. Vox workers meet with community leaders to assess the current WASH oversight status, identify the breakdown, and work with community leaders to create a community strategy for bolstering or jump-starting WASH activities.
Positive Impacts
The Overland Expo Foundation grant provided funding for the restoration of 4 well locations:
- Savane Cede Unidade 1 – population 3,400
- Milha 20, Unidade B Savane – population 648
- Nhamutiquite, Unidade A – population 125
- Milha 26 – population 370
The well at Milha 26 that was restored was dormant for 2 years. Without maintenance, education, and access to spare parts, the local people had given up on the well and reverted to consuming contaminated water. It was a beautiful moment when the water started flowing again. Women no longer had to travel a better part of the day to collect unsafe water for their families. Children could now attend school and the ongoing threat from water-born illnesses was diminished.
Get Involved
Vox was born in the bush of rural Mozambique back in 2008. Moved by the staggering number of children sick & dying from preventable water-born diseases, they decided to roll up their sleeves and do something about it. The word VOX is Latin for “voice.” Their motivation centers on bringing practical, real-time hope to the voiceless of our world.
Give the gift of clean drinking water by making a donation to Vox and change the entire world for a child, a family, or a community: https://voxunited.org/
*All photos curtesy of Vox United.