WASH WASH (or WaSH) is an acronym that stands for "water, sanitation and hygiene". Universal, affordable and sustainable access to WASH is a key public health issue within international development and forms a central component of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. At MAA, we believe that everyone should have access to clean drinking water and that this access underpins all other aspects of development. Today, more than a billion people lack access to safe drinking water. MAA’s water and sanitation programmes incorporate building infrastructure, improving sanitation and developing hygiene awareness to assist in the ongoing development of communities. MEET FAISAL: Faisal (pictured above) lives in a remote area of Somalia. He used to walk several kilometres a day in blistering heat to fetch a jerry can of water that was not safe for drinking. He then had to carry this heavy jerry can back home. This process often took the most part of a day, which meant that going to school was just a dream for Faisal. Faisal’s situation is not unique and countless children across the globe face this same struggle on a daily basis. When MAA was made aware of the situation, we completed our needs assessment and began construction of a water well. This well now benefits the entire village of several hundred households and allows for children like Faisal to receive an education and put an end to the cycle of poverty that persists.