Improving Nonprofits' Clean Water Programs by Teaching Monitoring and Evaluation Techniques: A Novel Model

Background: Monitoring and evaluating global health projects is necessary in order to ensure efficient use of limited resources. Some large organizations have made it a priority to carefully monitor and report project outcomes for any program they support. Additionally, charity oversight groups have entered the space as third-party evaluators for nonprofit organizations of substantial size and wealth not conducting robust in-house efficacy data analysis. However, much of the work done to address global health challenges is completed by small groups with very few employees, none of whom have data collection or analysis training.

Program: In order to sustainably fill this gap in the area of water, sanitation, and hygiene, a 501c3 nonprofit organization was founded in 2010. This organization trains US students to consult with small, otherwise overlooked nonprofit organizations in developing countries to help them monitor and evaluate the long-term efficacy of their programs.

Outcomes: To date, the organization has trained 20 students to work as project managers dealing with issues of global health. Subsequently, the organization has impacted approximetely 1000 families by working with groups in Nicaragua, Uganda, El Salvador, Ghana, and Niger, among other areas, that require assistance with literature reviews, survey designs, data analysis, water quality testing, and/or field trial oversight.

Conclusion:  Utilizing a model that educates US students and empowers them to assist groups abroad under the umbrella of a 501c3 nonprofit organization has yielded a low-cost, sustainable public health initiative that both educates US students about global health and addresses the research capabilities gap that exists between large and small global health groups.