Driven by Compassion.
Focused on Impact.
Umuevu Living Water Foundation (ULW Foundation) is a registered non-profit, community-focused organization in Nigeria committed to improving the quality of life of underserved and vulnerable populations. Established to address critical development gaps, the Foundation works at the intersection of education, poverty reduction, and water & sanitation, recognizing these as fundamental pillars for sustainable community development.
We are driven by the belief that clean water, quality education, and economic opportunity are fundamental to human dignity and sustainable development. Our work focuses on addressing the root causes of poverty and inequality by delivering community-led solutions that strengthen resilience, improve well-being, and create pathways for long-term progress.
ULW Foundation implements inclusive and people-centered interventions that respond to local needs while aligning with national priorities and global development frameworks.
Our approach emphasizes community participation, capacity building, accountability, and long-term ownership to ensure that interventions continue to deliver benefits well beyond implementation.
ULW Foundation’s work contributes directly to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).
How we are changing lives
Our Vision
A future where communities are healthy, educated, and economically empowered, with equitable access to clean water, quality education, and sustainable livelihoods.
Our Mission
To improve the well-being of underserved communities by expanding access to safe water and sanitation, promoting inclusive and quality education, and supporting poverty-reduction initiatives that build resilience and self-reliance.
Our Commitment
ULW Foundation is committed to integrity, inclusiveness, sustainability, and partnership. We align our work with national development priorities and global frameworks, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) — particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and SDG 1 (No Poverty).
Our Core Values
Integrity
We act transparently and responsibly.
Respect
We honor local cultures and uphold human dignity.
Sustainability
We prioritize solutions that endure.
Empowerment
We equip people with knowledge and tools to thrive.
Who We Are
Umuevu Living Water Foundation (ULWF)is a non-profit organization set up to provide sustainable water projects to communities in Nigeria who suffer needlessly from a lack of access to clean water and proper sanitation.Umuevu Living Water Foundation is able to work with communities to provide access to clean water as well as hygiene and sanitation programs. These enlightenment programs greatly reduce the disease burden in their communities, allowing villagers to increase their productivity and begin working themselves out of poverty. You can be a part of the solution to reduce disease among the worlds poorest communities.For over three years, we have been helping communities gain access to clean, safe water by providing training and expertise for water project construction through our staff and implementing partners.
How We Work
At Umuevu Living Water Foundation we believe people, not water, can change everything.
When you sponsor a water project through us, you’ll unlock the potential of an entire community.Umuevu Living Water Foundation brings relief to communities around the world who suffer needlessly from a lack of access to clean water and proper sanitation.Providing access to clean, safe water helps capable and determined people realize the hope they have for their own futures.Umuevu Living Water Foundation works closely with partners to develop clean water programs alongside these heroes. We carefully select implementing partners who have long term relationships and commitments to the people they serve.We’re passionate about good health.
Impact Highlights
12+
Communities
Served
18+
Boreholes & Wells Installed / Rehabilitated
850+
Students Supported / Eduational Programs
2400+
Hygiene Sessions Delivered
15000+
Lives
Improved
Umuevu Community
BRIEF HISTORY OF UMUEVU
Umuevu is a rural village in Okrika-Nweke Community in Ekwereazu Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government of Imo State, Nigeria. Okirika-Nweke is made up of Umuevu and Akpim which previously were part of Umuokirika. The central market called Eke Okwe gives the community its name. Apart from politics, both villages (Umuevu and Akpim ) still share certain things together till date. For instance: they celebrate Cultural festivals like; Iri ji Mbaise (new yam festival) together. This is celebrated on the 15th of August every year garnished with the Ekpe traditional dance. They share a common secondary school which they built on their own, have a common health centre and intermarry.
The easiest route to the village is from Ogbe in Ahiara along the Owerri-Umuahia road which leads to the centre of the village. Other minor access roads are in from Agu na Eze, Oru na Lude, Nkwoala and Afo Ukwu around the village. The town shares boundaries with Ogbe Ahiara, Akpim, Okponkume, Umuokrika and Oru. It is a sub-tropical zone, densely populated and with a level land. Majority of the village dwellers are peasant farmers, traders and teachers.
Umuevu has population of about 4,000 inhabitants most of whom are indigenes. It is made up of three major clans namely: Lomoma, Mpe and Ezeala, and about ten minor Clans.
Culture and Religion
There is intermarriage within the village which takes a twofold form between Lomoma and Mpe na Ezeala. Intramarriage within each of the three major clans or between Mpe and Ezeala is not permitted, considered a taboo, and has been so for over a century. The law of exogamy is strictly observed up till the 10th generation to avoid incest and this is made possible through a thorough pre-marital inquiry involving the entire extended family (Umunna). Although majority understands English, the common language like in any typical vilalage setting is the mother tongue-Igbo.
The community residents are Christians, mostly Roman Catholics with a big church (Holy Ghost Catholic Church). Umuevu parish belongs to Ahiara Mbaise catholic diocese.
The majority of the youths reside outside the town but maintain contact with their home town. The yearly reunion is evident during Christmas season when the village can barely contain its members returning from around the world.
Sustainability of Projects in Umuevu Community
Most development in Umuevu is from self-help community efforts. The people and their leaders usually meet every eight days at the Eke Okwe market square to deliberate on matters affecting the community and their sons and daughters both home and abroad contribute immensely towards community projects. In this way they built their church, secondary school, markets, village halls, both at the central and clan levels, maintain their roads, support their children through scholarships, provide electricity for the entire village, although the general Nigerian epileptic power supply problem does allow the people enjoy the electricity.
How Umuevu Living Water Foundation Works
Our Process
Anyone can dig a hole. Anyone can send money to Africa to fund a well. Anyone can take a picture of water flowing and claim success.
But it takes trained and committed teams working in collaboration to build a water project on a strong foundation that ensures lasting worth and life changing impact.
A comprehensive, sustainable water project costs time, commitment, investment in people, a willingness to measure and admit both success and failures, and a passion to care for people more than hardware.
Umuevu Living Water Foundation is working very hard to build long-term, truly sustainable water projects that are held to a measurable standard of success over the long term. We’re less interested in an ever growing tally of projects than we are in seeing lives changed.
ULWF Process
The following describes how a project is completed.
- Community Engagement: We make the communties we serve to be involved at every step of the process.
- Community education: Clean, safe water can be a new concept in a village. Understanding concepts like hand-washing and proper use of latrines is key to maximizing the benefits of the project
- Installing the Project: From filing for permits to executing the project, a lot goes into the construction phase of a water project.
- Education Follow-up and Handing Over: The exciting moment when water flows and a community celebrates their new water source is just the beginning.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: Did it work? Is it still working? Was anyone really helped? If we don’t ask, we’ll never know.
Become a volunteer
You Can Help Transform Lives
Your Support helps us provide clean water, quality education, and opportunities that break the cycle of poverty.