Queen Elizabeth honours Ugandan for water access promotion

British Monarch Queen Elizabeth II in her capacity as Head of the Commonwealth, has honoured Ugandan Abel Odeke for voluntary service promoting water equality. 

The honour was delivered through the British High Commission in Uganda. A press statement from the commission released Monday emphasised that voluntary service is a vital part of the collective Commonwealth spirit. 

Odeke was feted as the 157th Commonwealth Point of Light. He is co-founder of 'Equal Aqua Uganda', an inventiveness that aspires to build sustainable water tanks in rural areas. 

It is envisaged that the tanks, dubbed plastic eco-bricks, will be a clean water source in the next 20 years. The tanks, one of which has completed set up, is established using waste plastic bottles filled with sand. 

The British High Commission says Odeke's team has championed anti-plastic pollution during COVID-19 times. 

Odeke was also commended for facilitating soap-making workshops, establishing hand washing stations, as a mechanism to combat the coronavirus. 

The commendation was made as a follow up of pronouncements at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in London 2018. 

The Queen has applauded inspirational volunteers across the 54 Commonwealth nations for the difference they are making in their communities and beyond. 

A volunteer from each Commonwealth country will be recognised every week. It is believed that sharing these stories of service,  inspires acts of volunteering across the Commonwealth.  

It also helps rally others to make their own contribution to tackling some of the greatest social challenges of our time. 

British High Commissioner to Uganda Peter West, observed that the inadequate water access was ravaging the globe. 

"Globally, one million people die each year from water, sanitation, and hygiene-related diseases. In Uganda, about 50% of the population lack access to safe water and water-borne diseases kill thousands each year. 

He praised Odeke and Equal Aqua Uganda team for being a part of the solution to Uganda's water challenges. 

Odeke said the award would spur the team to be a community game-changer, with the selfless works and youth-spearheaded inventiveness. 

"As a new, youth-led organisation run by a team of passionate volunteers, this award will open many doors for us. It will help us to raise awareness and support for our programmes that provide equal access to water, sanitation, and hygiene for all Ugandans," said Odeke. 

"It will allow us to connect with like-minded organisations and build international solidarity around the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). Thank you and weebale nnyo." 

Who is Odeke?

A brief biography on Odeke's social networking site Linkedin, says he is currently the team leader of International Citizen Service (ICS) at community empowerment organisation, Restless Development. 

ICS is a UK-funded programme that trains volunteers to steward community projects.