We are thrilled to announce that Project Maji has been invited to showcase and exhibit the Maji Buckets at Expo 2020 Global Best Practice Programme. This Global Best Practice Programme showcases over 50 selected projects from around the world that have presented a tangible, replicable and scalable solution to the challenges posed by COVID-19. We are extremely honored for this prestigious recognition of our COVID-19 response at a global stage like Expo 2020.
The Maji Bucket: Simple, Effective and Scalable:
The Maji bucket is a simple low-tech invention developed with a vision to ensure safe handwashing practices among rural communities. Developed in the field by our Ghanaian team, the foot-operated solution eliminates the need for touch and successfully curbs the risk of contagion and spread of bacteria. Critically, the solution is highly affordable and made of locally available products that allow for its easy replication and bulk production.
That’s not all! The Maji Buckets have been produced by people of determination in Accra, Ghana. In a bid to create inclusive employment opportunities, we tapped into the potential of our special colleagues at Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations for the easy assembly of the Maji Buckets, distributed as part of Project Maji COVID-19 response. Till date, Project Maji has reached 75,000 people with handwashing trainings, soap and the Maji buckets to promote safe handwashing in communities across rural Ghana. Watch the full Maji Bucket Story:
Global Best Practice Programme, ‘Small Steps, Big Leaps’, for Sustainable Impact
We, at Project Maji, are immensely proud of the impact this low-tech yet highly effective solution has helped us deliver in world’s most remote rural communities in the aftermath of a deadly pandemic such as COVID-19. The Global Best Practice Programme at EXPO 2020 is designed to highlight simple yet impactful COVID-19 solutions localizing agenda 2030 – making sure no one is left behind. Therefore, being selected as a Best Practice is an immensely significant seal of approval of our efforts in shielding remote rural communities from the pandemic.
The selection of Maji Buckets as a best practice project was finalized to mark World Creativity and Innovation Day on 21 April, celebrating human ingenuity and the creative economy, and their essential role in helping communities throughout the pandemic. We believe this prestigious recognition not only provides our solution global visibility but also generates an opportunity for knowledge sharing with key stakeholders and helps us drive innovation in the rural water space. Read more on the Five coronavirus-related projects added for Dubai Expo.
Expressing his enthusiasm over being selected as a best practice project, our Founder & CEO, Sunil Lalvani shared: “When the pandemic hit, our Project Maji team in rural Ghana was exemplary in responding to the challenge by inventing the Maji Bucket. A simple yet practical and effective tool that was affordable and appropriate for the case in need – avoiding technological overkill.
Being able to demonstrate this on such a prestigious global stage like Dubai Expo 2020, as a best practice, is not only huge motivation for all at Project Maji to continue delivering the life changing work we do, but also, more critically, can hopefully inspire numerous others to make equally impactful interventions in the challenges their communities face.”
Being selected as a Best Practice Project comes as the third significant recognition of our work in the region. In 2019, we were presented with Sheikh Rashid Al-Maktoum Global Water Award under the "Innovative Research and Development” category. More recently, the Maji Buckets were awarded the Best Awareness Campaign Award at International Humanitarian City Member Global Meeting Awards 2021. We believe this is only the beginning of a very exciting journey as a registered charity in the UAE and a new member of the International Humanitarian City. Onwards and Upwards!