In 2008, Saran Kaba Jones returned to Liberia after years of exile due to the civil war that displaced her family. Upon her return, she faced a harsh reality: many communities still lacked access to clean, safe water. For women and children, collecting water from contaminated sources was a burden and a life-threatening struggle.
These daily risks stole precious hours that could have been spent on education, income generation, or nurturing family life. This harsh truth motivated Jones to make a lasting change. Thus in 2009, Saran Kaba Jones founded FACE Africa to provide sustainable access to clean water while addressing health and gender inequality. Her first project, funded by the Davis Project for Peace, was in Barnesville, a community suffering from unsafe drinking water.
The initiative has improved the health of hundreds of families by implementing a water purification system that provides them with a reliable source of clean water. This success established the foundation for the organisation’s expanding impact throughout Liberia.
Since its launch, FACE Africa has completed over 50 water, sanitation, and hygiene projects, each designed to meet the specific needs of the communities it serves. The organisation is committed to sustainability, going beyond simply providing clean water. It equips communities with the tools and knowledge to manage and maintain their water systems.
Moreover, residents receive hands-on training to install, repair, and maintain the systems, transforming them from passive recipients to active stewards of their resources. This model promotes resilience, reduces dependency on aid, and enables communities to thrive independently.
A key focus of Jones’s work is empowering women. In many rural communities, women are the primary water collectors, often walking long distances to find clean water. Recognising the toll this takes on their health and time, she ensures that women are involved in every stage of the water projects, from planning to implementation.
The organisation actively includes women in water and sanitation committees, giving them a platform to voice their opinions and make decisions that affect their communities. This approach challenges traditional gender roles, promotes gender equality, and encourages women to take on leadership roles in shaping their futures. By providing women with the tools to lead, the group is helping to reshape societal structures and create more equitable communities.
The founder’s work has earned her international recognition. She has shared her insights at high-profile events like the World Economic Forum (WEF), where she highlighted the link between clean water access and sustainable development. Her work has also been featured in major media outlets like CNN and Forbes, increasing awareness and attracting support for her cause. This exposure has expanded the organisation’s reach, enabling it to help even more needy communities.
Despite progress, Saran Kaba Jones acknowledges that Liberia’s water crisis is far from over. Many communities still struggle with unreliable access to clean water, but her determination remains steadfast. Through her organisation, she continues to provide immediate relief and long-term solutions. Each new project brings Liberia closer to a future where clean water is a right for all its citizens.
With every project, FACE Africa is not just providing water; it is empowering communities to manage their resources, ensuring the future of Liberia’s water security rests in the hands of its people.
