By Harry Philippson, Marketing Manager at One Gin

As part of my role is managing our social media channels at One Gin (and previously at One Water and The One Foundation), I get to read a lot of feedback from our online community on a daily basis. This is one of my favourite parts of the job as I get to engage with thousands of people online who are often very vocal in supporting our business and cause.

But, because of the charitable nature of what we do, we sometimes receive questions about our programmes as well – mainly the sustainability of our projects. Questions like “do you think about the long-term picture?”, “what happens when the funding has run out and you leave?” and “doesn’t this lead to aid-dependency in Africa?” and so on. And I think people are quite right to challenge us on these issues and should continue to do so. If you’re going to make an investment by donating to The One Foundation or buying a bottle of One Gin, just like any other financial investment, you’re going to want to make sure that the money is being spent in the right way and that no more money will have to be invested in the same project again in the future.

I was lucky enough to visit The One Foundation’s water projects in Kumasi, Ghana, a couple of years ago where I met the inspirational locals who are ensuring sustainability at every level of our systems-led programme. So I hope they can help to answer these questions.

Meet Richard and Marcos – two construction workers from Adukrom

Richard and Marcos have been involved in the building work that has connected Adukrom to a sustainable water system. This included constructing 1,300 metres of water-pipes, a high-level storage tank, four fire hydrants and 49 standpipes that provide clean, safe water to all 32,895 residents in this low-income area.

Richard explained: “Now we’ve built the water system in Adukrom, it is up to us to manage and maintain it to make sure water keeps coming out of the taps for everyone. This means that we will invest the money that we make from providing water back into the system, as well as receiving funding from the district – who has taken responsibility for the on-going success of the project. We’re already at the stage where we’re able to manage this all by ourselves and I’m proud to be a part of that.”

Meet Gloria – a health coordinator and teacher at Apraman Basic School

Gloria and her colleague Alex are two teachers (out of the 20) who have become Health Coordinators at the school. This means ensuring that after the school’s new water and sanitation facilities were built and connected to the system, the 600 different school children would be educated in the relevant health, sanitation and hygiene issues and the amenities would be looked after.

Gloria explained “We meet with the children once a month to talk about personal hygiene, menstruation, sanitation and general health and wellbeing. We’re also around every day to help the kids if they need it. Looking after the facilities is easy, as the children are taught how to keep it clean and we have a fund from the Parent Teacher Association that pays for cleaning products, toilet roll, soap and the maintenance of the building.”

Meet Afia – a water seller at Kotei

Afia is a water seller at one of the eight public standpipes in Kotei, which provide clean water to 8,500 community members. She sits outside her house, which is next to the tap, and sells water to the community for 20 pesewas (about 3p) for 4 litres.

Afia explained: “My neighbours come to me when they need water and I give it to them from this tap. I make a percentage on each sale as this is my full-time job from early in the morning until late at night. I look after the area to make sure it’s clean, safe and looked after. We have enough funds to repair the tap if this is needed.”

Meet Sandra – Head of the Community Management Committee at Kotei

Sandra is the Head of the Community Management Committee at Kotei, which oversees the operations and maintenance of this project’s water system and all of its facilities within the community – and they’ve been successfully managing this ever since the programme started in 2010.

Sandra explained: “Before we had this system, people used to collect water from a polluted and dirty stream that often used to dry up. Now we have clean, quality water, jobs and revenue for food and health. I make sure all bills are paid to the service provider and there has never been an issue. We’re a community that can now look after ourselves without relying on funding from organisations.”

From the construction workers, to the schools, water sellers, Community Management Committees and beneficiaries – all are ensuring that they maintain a system that will continue to provide clean water, sanitation and health to their whole community forevermore.

We have high ambitions at One – working towards a world where everyone has access to clean water forever. We know we can’t change the world overnight, but I feel very lucky to have seen the impact we make one bottle at a time, one person at a time, one day at a time.

Find out more about The One Foundation’s sustainable, clean water projects.

We might not have been able to go on the holidays we planned this summer, but we’ve still had some amazing #OneMiniAdventure trips. That’s because One Gin miniatures make the perfect partner for a mini holiday or staycation, whether this is visiting family, camping or even just as an aperitif on a day off in your own garden or home.

Here are some of our favourite #OneMiniAdventure moments that have been captured this summer, from campervanning across Scotland to relaxing in a paddling pool in the garden. 

@_Celluloidscenes made the most of the warm weather by creating this stunning spread. She enjoyed a One Gin and tonic or two on the balcony with her flatmates – the perfect summer evening if you ask us.

Slightly further afield, our minis were lucky enough to have a trip of a lifetime to the Azores with @Gin_A_Ding_Ding. The perfect partner for her bank holiday getaway.

“Celebrating Friday with a glass of England’s finest gin @TheSpiritofOne in one of my favourite London spots – Greenwich Park.” @chasingsunsets.co.uk stayed local, enjoying a G&T with this stunning view from Greenwich Park. 

Making the most of exploring more of the UK instead, @yellowshoesorangeumbrella took our minis off on an adventure for a few days to the Kent seaside to get some fresh seafood and sea air. 

Many of us have been enjoying picnics in the park this summer. @laurennatalietravels took this to the next level by enjoying afternoon tea in Scotland, accompanied with our One Gin minis. 

Also enjoying a One Mini Adventure in Scotland, @Suewherewhywhat enjoyed a refreshing One Gin and tonic whilst exploring the breathtaking Three Sisters of Glencoe. 

On the opposite end of the country, @life.a_daring_adventure took her minis on an adventure to relax by the Cornish sea. Such a great place for a late summer One Gin and tonic. 

Proving that you can have a perfect #OneMiniAdventure without even leaving your home, @teamthomastravel enjoyed their One Gin and tonic cooling off in the paddling pool in their garden. 

 

Mini adventures aren’t just for summer… Share a photo of One Gin minis in your favourite spot this autumn using #OneMiniAdventure for a chance to be featured on @TheSpiritOfOne’s profile.