A message from Anne Cleary, Aidlink Executive Director

As Executive Director of Aidlink I have the privilege of witnessing change. Every year I see the impact of our work in a most profound and personal way. Targeted, strategic, community-led interventions can, and do transform the lives of people living in poverty, and nothing is more transformative than water. Without access to the most basic human necessity- water, other aspects of human and community development are not attainable. The ripple effect of clean, safe and accessible water leads to improvements in health, in educational attainment, and in food security and agricultural practice. During 2014 Aidlink and our partners brought improved water and sanitation facilities to 24,000 men, women and children living in Africa. As a result children can now spend more time at school as they no longer travel long distances to fetch water, communities are healthier with a reduction in the instance of waterborne diseases, and farmers’ yields have increased and are more varied, improving the communities’food supply. Through community participation and ownership, the sustainability of these improvements is ensured, and the life-changing impacts will be felt for generations to come.

Aidlink is a small organisation of just 4 staff working in Dublin, but through partnering with local organisations in Kenya, Uganda and Ghana, we impact on the lives of thousands of people annually. The principle of partnership is at the heart of Aidlink’s work. As I look back on 2014, a significant highlight was the partner meeting which took place in Nairobi, Kenya. The meeting offered a wonderful opportunity for all Aidlink partners to come together and strengthen our relationships, and to learn from, and with each other. Another highlight was the launch of the Aidlink Tackling Poverty Campaign. With over 30 years’ experience working in international development, we are confident that the partnership model of development truly works; bringing about long-term and sustainable improvements for communities and individuals. Based on our successes to date we have launched this campaign to meet the growing need for our programme. The campaign will raise funds to support the expansion of our work into new communities across Kenya, Uganda and Ghana. Our 2014 annual report takes on a new look, and I hope you will enjoy looking back and sharing in our achievements throughout the year. I would like to take the opportunity to acknowledge the volunteer Board of Aidlink. Their commitment, professionalism, and support are sincerely valued. I also want to thank my colleagues in Dublin for their contribution to making a real and lasting impact on the lives of the poor. To all those who support Aidlink, we thank you for your kindness an d generosity. View the 2014 Annual Report here.

Anne Cleary