Texas-based and women-led tech startup Well Beyond is already massively successful in the developing world for their work in the water sector, striving to improve rural water supplies worldwide. Now this female-owned business has turned its expertise towards fighting the spread of COVID-19 with an innovative smartphone app. The app uses WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) training to educate those living in remote places on vital sanitation techniques, like DIY soap making.
“To put it into perspective, this isn’t about teaching people to wash their hands long enough, it’s about building the sink and making the soap to do it with,” said Kathryn Bergmann, COO of Well Beyond. “We will continue providing crucial guidance and support to these communities, even though we aren’t physically able to be there.”
According to the UN Economic Commission for Africa, more than 300,000 Africans could die due to COVID-19 this month alone. Everyone from local governments to the World Health Organization stress that basic, preventative measures by communities and individuals are the best defense against COVID-19. It’s the delivery of this information that’s been challenging, since movement is so limited, and precisely why Well Beyond selected an app as their platform.
“The communities we work with through our clients may not have sinks, soap, and medical infrastructure, but 34% of young adults in Kenya do own a smartphone,” said Sarah Evans, Founder and CEO of Well Beyond. “We can use those smartphones to train and guide these communities to better protect them from the spread of the coronavirus – even in the most vulnerable places. And, we’re offering it for free.”
The two women entrepreneurs have substantial credentials in the water supply industry, a combined total of 21 years of experience of applying their tech know how in addressing rural water supply issues around the world.
CEO Sarah N. Evans is the Founder and Chair of the award-winning nonprofit, Well Aware, as well as a Truman National Security Project Fellow, a GSBI Women-led Cohort Member, and an advisory Board Member for the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. COO Kathryn Bergmann is a licensed professional engineer, member of the Rural Supply Network, a GSBI Women-led Cohort Member and a Dell Women Entrepreneurs Network Member.
