RAINWATER TANKS FOR UGANDA

Empowering Isingiro’s Families with Clean Water

At Borrmeister Architects, we are proud to partner with the Centre for Community Solidarity (CCS) to help tackle the urgent water crisis in Isingiro, Uganda. Working hand in hand with local communities, CCS goes to great lengths to identify the most vulnerable families—those for whom access to clean water is truly life-changing.

Our shared mission is simple yet profound: to provide clean, safe, and sustainable water—one rainwater tank at a time.

This initiative not only delivers immediate access to clean water but also builds long-term resilience. Together, we are supporting families to live healthier, more empowered lives and break free from the cycle of waterborne illness and poverty.

In the remote district of Isingiro, Uganda, access to safe water is a daily struggle. This region is one of the country’s most impoverished, with 79% of households lacking clean water. Drought, poverty, and crumbling infrastructure force women and children to walk 3–8 kilometres every day just to collect water—water that is often unsafe and contaminated.

This harsh reality fuels a silent emergency. Waterborne illnesses like typhoid, diarrhoea, and dehydration are widespread and among the leading causes of death for children under five. Underground sources are often too salty or mineral-rich to drink, and while protected springs exist, they are often too far to access. Many families rely on unprotected catchments, easily polluted during rainfall.

The consequences go beyond health:

• Girls miss school to fetch water, limiting their futures and exposing them to risks of abuse during long, isolated walks.

• Women’s productivity is hindered, reducing opportunities to earn income and support their families.

• The entire community is held back by the absence of this basic human need.

In partnership with CCS, Borrmeister Architects is co-funding the construction of rainwater tanks for families in Isingiro. Each tank is part of a sustainable solution built through local partnerships, with costs shared equally between the sponsoring organisation and the family.

• Supports Education & Safety
  Girls no longer need to walk long distances for water, enabling them to attend school and reducing their exposure to danger.

• Promotes Self-Reliance
  Families manage their own water supply, increasing independence and dignity.

• Improves Health & Hygiene
  Safe water drastically reduces the spread of waterborne illnesses.

• Builds Climate Resilience
  Rainwater harvesting provides a sustainable, year-round water source, even during droughts.

• Reduces Poverty
  With water nearby, families can focus on farming and other income-generating activities.

This project is about more than just clean water—it’s about hope, dignity, and long-term empowerment.

In New Zealand, turning on a tap is effortless, yet in Isingiro, Uganda, many families face the daily challenge of accessing clean water. The 'Rainwater Tanks for Uganda' project offers a practical, affordable, and sustainable way to bring about change.

Borrmeister Architects support this project because we believe good design is not just about buildings—it’s about improving lives. This initiative reflects our core values of empowering communities, supporting practical solutions, and making a lasting positive impact.

By building one tank at a time, we’re helping families transform their lives and thrive.

Community-Centered Construction
Community is at the heart of this project. Local masons collaborate with families and neighbours to construct each tank, using materials sourced from nearby shops. Many materials, like sand, cement, and welded mesh, are carried by hand from feeder roads over 500 metres away, demonstrating the remarkable commitment and unity of the community.

How It Works
Rainwater is collected from rooftops through gutter systems and stored in reinforced concrete tanks. This simple yet effective system provides families with clean, safe water all year round, reducing their reliance on contaminated sources.

Fast to Build
Once materials are on-site, each tank takes just seven days to complete, providing families with quick access to life-changing water.

Made to Last
The tanks are built from reinforced concrete, designed to be durable and low-maintenance, ensuring they serve families for many years.

Our partnership with CCS is built on shared values of sustainable development and a commitment to creating meaningful change. Lorraine Borrmeister has worked closely with Charles Rwabambari, CCS’s Project Coordinator, during her time as an International Programmes Officer. To formalize this collaboration, we have established a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a Funding Agreement to ensure transparency and mutual accountability for the success of the project.

Fixed Cost Breakdown for a 10m³ Rainwater Tank:

• Total Cost: NZD 880.00 (approx. UGX 1,926,144)

• Individual or Business Contribution: NZD 490.00 (approx. UGX 1,072,512)
  – NZD 390.00 for construction and materials
  – NZD 100.00 for CCS administration & project coordination

• Ugandan Family Contribution: NZD 390.00 (approx. UGX 854,632)

  Note: All local transactions in Uganda are done in UGX (Ugandan Shillings). If your bank can send money in UGX—great! If not, we recommend using the Wise app—it’s fast, reliable, and makes sending UGX much easier.

  Fixed Donation Amounts by Currency:

  NZD 490.00
  USD 300.00
  AUD 460.00
  GBP 240.00
  EUR 280.00

If you're happy to contribute NZD 490.00 to help a family in Isingiro, Uganda, build a rainwater tank, here’s how to get started—it’s simple:

1. Get in Touch
   Reach out to Wulf, Lorraine, or Charles—we’ll send you a short Funding Agreement and MoU to ensure everything is clear and transparent.

2. Make Your Contribution
   Once everything’s signed, we’ll guide you through the simple steps to transfer your donation directly to CCS in Uganda.

3. See Your Impact
   Charles will keep you updated with photos and stories from the family you’re supporting—so you can see firsthand the difference you’re making.

If you have any questions or just want to chat about the project, we’re always happy to connect. This isn’t a fundraiser—it’s a direct act of kindness—no middleman, just real impact.

Follow our journey and progress on the Borrmeister Architects website and social media. Stay updated with photos and short videos from CCS, the families we’re supporting, and the wider community of Isingiro.

Regular updates on the 'Rainwater Tanks for Uganda' project will be shared as we continue to make a difference, one tank at a time.

• Wulf and Lorraine Borrmeister
  info@borrmeister.co.nz
  +64 3 384 0946

• Project Coordinator: Charles Rwabambari
  crwabambari@yahoo.com
  +256 772 698 296