Saving rain, securing futures: Save The Rain's two-decade journey

Access to clean water is a fundamental human right and a critical component of achieving the global goals for sustainability, economic growth, and gender equality. Yet, for millions, safe water remains out of reach, perpetuating cycles of poverty and disease. Over the past 20 years, Save the Rain has pioneered innovative, community-led rainwater harvesting solutions, directly addressing these challenges while supporting climate action and economic equality.

As the organisation approaches its 20th anniversary, it embarks on its most ambitious project yet: empowering women to build 1,500 domestic rainwater harvesting tanks, bringing safe, clean water to families currently living in water scarcity. This initiative underscores the urgent need for scalable, sustainable water solutions and the power of global collaboration to drive justice and strong institutions.

Water scarcity and its impact: The data behind the crisis

The global water crisis remains one of the most pressing challenges of our time. According to the UN, 2.2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water, and over 700 million could be displaced due to water scarcity by 2030. Children are disproportionately affected, with an estimated 414 million hours of learning time lost daily due to water collection or waterborne illnesses. Furthermore, women and girls often bear the burden of fetching water, preventing them from pursuing education and economic opportunities, further exacerbating gender inequality.

Rainwater harvesting provides a low-cost, sustainable solution to these challenges. Unlike traditional water sources that require extensive infrastructure and maintenance, rainwater collection systems are gravity-fed, require no electricity, and have an impressive 200-year lifespan. By integrating such systems at the community level, organisations like Save the Rain are not only ensuring environmental protection but also enabling economic growth by reducing the time spent collecting water, thereby fostering greater economic equality.

Building sustainable communities: Save the rain’s impact

Save the Rain’s approach prioritises local engagement, education, and empowerment. Their projects begin at primary schools, identified as the heart of villages and the most invested community hubs. By equipping these schools with large-scale rainwater collection systems, the organisation ensures that children can stay in school rather than walk miles in search of water.

A key feature of their model is community participation. Villagers are not passive beneficiaries but active contributors—local masons and labourers are trained in ferrocement tank construction, natural passive filtration, and sustainable water management. These trained individuals not only build water tanks but also establish a local maintenance committee to ensure long-term system functionality. This participatory model fosters peace and justice, strengthens local economies, and cultivates self-sufficiency.

A look ahead: The next 20 years of water security

Over the past two decades, Save the Rain has refined its strategy, leveraging both science and community-driven solutions to create sustainable impact. With the next 20 years in sight, the organisation is focused on scaling up its efforts to address the future’s growing water challenges. By continuing to innovate and expand partnerships within the global society, Save the Rain demonstrates how collective action can drive meaningful change.

Investing in rainwater harvesting is not merely a response to water scarcity—it is an investment in future generations, climate resilience, and world changes that align with the SDGs. As Save the Rain embarks on its most ambitious goal yet, global support remains essential. To learn more and contribute to this transformative initiative, visit Save the Rain’s official platform and be part of the movement toward a water-secure future.

More information: https://savetherain.org/

Youtube credits: https://www.youtube.com/@savetherain3001