Warka Water is a nonprofit focuses on innovative and sustainable solutions to some of humanity's most enduring issues through the fusion of local knowledge and resources, visionary design and ancient traditions.
VENICE BIENNALE 2021
We are happy to announce that “Warka Village” project has been selected to be exhibited at the upcoming event "La Biennale di Venezia 2021", the 17th International Architecture Exhibition, at the Italian Pavilion "Resilient Communities", curated by Alessandro Melis. The Biennale Architettura will be open from May 22nd to November 21st.
THE STORY
"Visiting small isolated communities up on the high plateau in the North East region of Ethiopia, in 2013, I witnessed this dramatic reality: the lack of potable water. The villagers live in a beautiful natural environment but often without running water, electricity, toilets. This is how the Warka Tower project was initiated and ever since, to bring safe water has become our mission.”, said Arturo Vittori.
WARKA TOWER
In 2015 the first Warka Tower pilot has been constructed in Dorze, a rural community in south Ethiopia. After this successful initiative, we have founded the “Warka Water Inc.” non-profit, based in the USA, as a platform for our social actions.
PROJECTS
With the experience acquired working with rural communities, we realized that above the water scarcity there were other important issues we could help with. This is why additional projects have been developed, for integrated and sustainable aid, always adapting the philosophy of involving the locals, using indigenous materials and traditional construction techniques. The Warka Solar, Warka Garden, Warka Sanitation, Warka House, and Culture a Porter projects have been developed, and the Warka Village started.
THE NAME
The name ‘Warka’ comes from the Warka Tree, which is a giant, wild fig tree native to Ethiopia. Like the tree, the Warka Tower serves as an important cornerstone for the local community, becoming part of the local culture and ecosystem by providing its fruits, shade, and offering a gathering place.
INSPIRATION
The design of the different projects finds inspiration from nature. "Insects, animals, and plants develop specific strategies to live in a specific environment. Some of them are capable of collecting water from the air and to and store it to survive in the most hostile environments on earth. We also study the local culture, the craftsmanship and construction techniques, vernacular architecture, and ancient, forgotten traditions", said Arturo Vittori.
PHILOSOPHY
Warka Water Inc. is committed to the design and construction of innovative, eco-friendly, biodegradable infrastructures, serving the basic needs of disadvantaged populations located in remote rural locations. Our vision is to develop truly sustainable projects following the model of the Warka Tower.
IMPACT
We aim with the Warka Water to :
- Decrease in infant mortality.
- Inprouve healt conditions.
- Improve safety in the living environment.
- Give women more time to caring for children.
- Empower local economy.
- To preserve local community culture.
- Preserve and restore the local natural ecosystem.
- Teaching children basic health education.
- Train people to sustainable construction methods.
CONTEXTS
After the construction of the first Warka Tower pilot in Ethiopia , in 2015, we rapidly realized that similar issues were unfortunately present in other communities in different geographical areas. Currently, we are active in Cameroon where we are constructing the Warka Village. We are also undertaking the first steps to bring help to some rural isolated communities in Haiti, Togo.
ACTIVITIES
The main activities we undertake to develop every new project can be summarised in 3 phases:
PREPARATION
Research / Development / Founding / Communication
Sites Selection / Proposals
PROGRESS
Training / Construction / Supervision
COMPLETION
Running / Educational / Monitoring
ACTIONS
Our Action meets the framework of the Sustainable Development Goals and it is addressed to the implementation of some of the 17 global challenges we are facing including poverty (1), clean energy (7), inequality (10), sustainable communities (11), climate change (13), environmental degradation (15), clean water and sanitation (6), etc.
DOCUMENTARY
The “Warka Village” is the title of a documentary project based on the real history of the work of the non-profit Warka Water Inc. & Partners, conducted between 2019-2021 in Cameroon, for the realization of the Warka Village, in support of the local ethnic group of the Pygmy peoples. The documentary is organized into 9 episodes, total duration of about 60 minutes.
OUR PARTNERS
We are fortunate to work with people who share our passion and vision. Our partners are true collaborators who bring expertise, compassion, and results as we work together to support vulnerable communities improving people's life.
There are several ways we can partner to help us both achieve our goals. We understand that supporting Warka Water is a reflection of your values and commitment to philanthropy.
WW offers private companies unique partnership opportunities, a step towards becoming compliant with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
TECHNICAL
