This September, I’m joining fellow Barclays colleagues on an expedition to southeast Kenya to help a local community hand build a sand dam. It’s tough, hands on work -digging, shovelling, moving rocks, and mixing cement alongside community members -but the outcome is life changing: a safe, local, year round water source that will support families for generations.

A mature sand dam can store up to 40 million litres, often supplying over 1,000 people with nearby water for decades, while also recharging groundwater, regreening the landscape, and boosting climate resilience. Since 2002, Sand Dams Worldwide and partners have helped over 1 million people across drylands to access clean water and improve food security.

Although this expedition has been self-funded by Barclays colleagues, we are looking for support to fund the materials and technical supervision so the community can build and own their dam. Once water is nearby, families also receive training in climate smart agriculture, so households can grow more food to eat, store, and sell - an investment that keeps paying back, season after season.

Every pound donated will be matched by Barclays, so your support goes twice as far. Together, we can help a community secure water for life, restore their land, and give children and parents back valuable time for school and work.

Thank you for helping me turn sweat and blisters into lasting change!

Gift Aid: If you’re a UK taxpayer, please tick Gift Aid so SDW can reclaim an extra 25% from HMRC at no cost to you. Gillian McWilliams