Clean drinking water is essential for using our product in healthy nutrition. Water is often used in preparation, and if contaminated, it can lead to illness. Since 2015, Vreugdenhil Dairy Foods has been an ambassador of Made Blue, helping to provide clean drinking water in countries such as Senegal and Ethiopia. Made Blue sets up water points and develops related infrastructure such as sanitation facilities and wash stations, including at schools. A team of local people is trained to maintain the drinking water infrastructure, and coaches are trained to promote behavioral change related to hygiene.
WASH Facilities
In 2024, a new drinking water project was launched. Together with World Vision and the Made Blue Foundation, Vreugdenhil and Hoogwegt are building two new water points in Freetown, Sierra Leone, and making these—along with five existing water points—future-proof. Water Management Committees are being formed and trained, and water kiosks are being built and stocked. The WASH facilities also generate income through the local sale of small packages and sachets of milk powder, which can be reinvested in maintaining and improving the water points.
At six schools, milk powder is used in free school meals to enhance their nutritional value. This calcium boost will help children continue to develop physically and mentally. This combination of milk and water in one project is unique and will provide both us and the local government with valuable insights into opportunities for scaling up to more locations.
Read more about this project: Water and nutrition in schools in Freetown – Made Blue Foundation