More than 7,000 villages are still deprived of access to drinking water. TdS’s history, our knowledge of the field and the results obtained in terms of health and improved living conditions have led us to consider more ambitious and sustainable solutions.

For more than a year, a collaboration has been underway with Dr. Soli Makohliso of EPFL, an international entrepreneur and an expert in technological innovation (social impact).

Our solution is based on the concept of water kiosks with the objectives of responding to the major problems of the country’s isolated villages, empowering the communities where TdS intervenes and, at the same time, ensuring the autonomy of the Association and the long-term sustainability of its projects.

This approach aims to empower the beneficiary populations by encouraging social entrepreneurship and is unique in its community-based approach, its use of innovative technologies and its political context specific to the communist regime established in Laos.

Indeed, in recent years, water kiosks have emerged as an innovative solution to the drinking water problem. Small water treatment facilities are set up in remote villages. They are run by local operators (social entrepreneurs) who provide drinking water. The communities can benefit from this water at a much lower price than the market price.

To achieve this, we have made a major shift from a purely philanthropic model to one which combines social entrepreneurship and philanthropy: