Kale Banyo’s “Water for Life, Goodness for the World” Initiative

For World Water Day, Kale Banyo supported the opening of wells in The Gambia, one of Africa’s poorest countries, where water scarcity adversely affects daily life. Through the “Water for Life, Goodness for the World” initiative, six villages gained wells that will transform their lives.

Throughout its 65-year history, Kale Group has prioritised investment in circular projects with a positive impact. Ahead of World Water Day this year, it took an important step towards a sustainable world. A volunteering campaign launched with İyilik Kazansın, a finalist in the İbrahim Bodur Social Entrepreneurship Award Programme held over the past five years, grew into a major movement of goodwill. Led by the Kaleseramik Foundation, it was supported by Group brands Çanakkale Seramik and Kale Banyo, Group company Kalekim and employees. Taking action to support the local development work Sen De Gel Derneği has carried out in The Gambia for ten years, the Group funded six wells in different parts of the country.

In The Gambia, where people struggle to survive on a single meal of rice a day and, according to the account in this report, a significant proportion of children die before the age of five because they cannot access clean water, the Group, with support from Kale Banyo, opened six wells: in Demba Kumtel, Mama Sutu, Sare Batc, Kerr Sait Sowe, Jamali Berreh and Kerr Jarja.

Offering environmentally responsible, sustainability-focused solutions throughout production and helping spark positive, meaningful change, Kale Banyo supported Kale Group’s Gambian Water Wells initiative to raise awareness of Sustainable Development Goal 6, “Clean Water and Sanitation”, and increase access to water resources. The volunteering movement grew through financial support generated by Kale Banyo on World Toilet Day. One well was named Çanakkale Seramik, and the solar-powered wells were opened for public use in a celebratory ceremony ahead of World Water Day.

Around the world, 2.2 billion people lack access to safe water sources. A further 206 million have limited access and must walk to sources at least 30 minutes from their homes.

Each year on 22 March, declared World Water Day, the United Nations brings this issue to global attention and seeks to raise awareness. This year’s theme is “Groundwater: Making the Invisible Visible”, highlighting the need to work together to manage this valuable resource sustainably, as it supports drinking water supplies, sanitation systems, agriculture, industry and ecosystems.