Watch how sand dams work

Sand dams are transforming lives around the world. But how do they work? Find out in this animation.

This film is also available with subtitles in:

Arabic

French

German

Hindi

Kamba

Malagasy

Portuguese

Spanish

Latest

Climate crisis: Save lives and land

Support dryland communities to build sand dams, sustainably manage land and implement a range of environmental protection measures so that they can prevent and reduce land degradation and adapt to climate change.
Climate Action Network UK “Nature-based Solutions in Action” report released

Excellent Development and our sand dam and climate-smart agriculture projects in southeast Kenya have been featured in a new Bond Nature-based Solutions report titled: “Nature-based Solutions in Action: Lessons from the Frontline"
Helping children to grow with water

The issue of water scarcity prevents many children from getting the most out of their education in southeast Kenya. Speaking with members of the St Stephen's Primary School community, we learn how a school water tank can positively influence the academic experience.
"With this new water tank, life in school will be more fun"

With water scarcity being a challenge for schools across southeast Kenya, many children are often required to bring water with them from home. Representatives from Kyumbe Primary School share how their school water tank has relieved this burden and helped children to enjoy school again.

Time-lapse of a sand dam being built

Watch as Kwa Voki self-help group build their sand dam in Makueni County, southeast Kenya.
Watch how sand dams work (French)

Film explaining how sand dams work and their potential impact in the world's drylands (with French subtitles)
1,000 sand dams - thank you!

Since 2002, Excellent has enabled over 1,000 sand dams in 8 countries, providing clean water for over 1 million people. Hear from some of those people who give a big thank you to all supporters.
Why the Maasai in Kenya need sand dams - Part 1

The people of the Iltirim community in Lekurruki, Kenya, explain why they want a sand dam and the difference it could make...
Why the Maasai in Kenya need sand dams - Part 2

The people of the Iltirim community in Lekurruki, Kenya, continue to explain the different sand dams could make to their lives...
Raincatchers: a film by Al Jazeera

Watch what happened when Al Jazeera paid a visit to our partners in Kenya, Africa Sand Dam Foundation, to learn how sand dams are transforming people's lives.
Who is Excellent Development?

This short film explains who we are and what we do; a charity supporting rural, dryland communities to create food and water security by building sand dams, and conserving water and soil.
Watch how sand dams work (Spanish)

Film explaining how sand dams work and their potential impact in the world's drylands (with Spanish subtitles).
Our philosophy and approach

At Excellent Development we pride ourselves in the philosophy and approach of our work - this short film explains the way we engage with communities, encourage working together and learning from each other.
The power of sand dams in Kenya

Sand dams are a cheap, innovative solution to water shortages in drylands, which also transform environments beyond recognition. Find out more about this remarkable technology in this video featuring interviews with Excellent's founders, supporters, those in the community that we support and Professor Jesse Muyambi from the University of Nairobi.

A brighter future with water

We need your help so that we can support more dryland communities to gain access to clean water, prevent spreading diseases like COVID-19 and in turn build a brighter future for themselves.
What is a sand dam?
Donate

Please donate what you can to transform lives with sand dams and clean water.
1 million sand dams for 0.5 billion people by 2040

Read about our plan to directly support other organisations to build sand dams, in turn, realising our vision to support millions of the world’s poorest people by helping them to transform their own lives through water and soil conservation in drylands.
Reversing land degradation and desertification

Conservation of the environment is critical to the economic development of people living in drylands.
The challenge

Find out what are drylands, why they are they are such harsh regions to live, how sand dams are applicable in drylands and what difference they can make to over 40% of the world's land surface.
Our approach

Find out more about Excellent's approach, from working with self-help groups to why we partner we on-ground, local organisations.
Water: A Basic Human Right

There is still a long way to go to ensure that all vulnerable dryland communities have access to what is their basic human right. Any support you are able to provide today will truly make a lasting difference to people’s lives for generations to come.
Watch how sand dams work

Film explaining how sand dams work and their potential impact in the world's drylands
Excellent Development wins at the Charity Awards 2021!

Excellent wins the International Aid and Development award for our sand dam projects in Africa!