Roong
Youth-Led Innovation in Water Security: Roong’s Systems Transformation Story
As part of her Systems Transformation Pathway (STP) impact area focused on water security, Roong from Thailand put her learning into action to tackle severe water insecurity in Mae Lay, Nakhon Sawan. Facing scarce, poor-quality tap water and underutilised groundwater, she embarked on a 9-month journey to create a lasting community-led solution.
“This idea came up in 2023 when my family and I visited the temple. The bathrooms had hardly any water flowing from the taps and the water had an unpleasant smell. The people also had to purchase bottled water, which caused a financial burden for low-income households. Thus, I would like to address this issue to ensure that local people have access to quality water.”
With a £6,500 grant from our entrepreneurial hub, Lighthouse, Roong collaborated with local residents, temple committees, technical experts, and the Subdistrict Administrative Organisation (SAO) to design and build a community-owned, solar-powered groundwater system.
Key Achievements:
- 💧 4,000–5,000 liters of water pumped daily into storage tanks.
- 🛠️ 30 local residents directly built the pipelines and constructed the system.
- 🏛️ Local Ownership: Management was officially handed over to Sam Yaek Phatthana Temple for long-term sustainability.
- 📈 Systemic Impact: Inspired the local sub-district administration to apply for national government funding to scale renewable energy water systems across the municipality.
Roong’s project proves that systemic change doesn’t need to start from the top; it begins within our own communities. Congratulations to Roong and a huge thank you to Lighthouse, the STP programme and the Mae Lay community!
“This project has created a sense of ownership for the local community while influencing local government priority for resource mobilisation. It has been reported to improve people’s well-being and access to cleaner water. Additionally, it also normalizes the use of renewable energy in daily lives. I hope this project has inspired other youths and the community to realize their capacity to take action and contribute positively to their community.”
