Pay 4 Shower Initiative
Hygiene and financial security are a warm shower.
The hygiene and dignity challenges in Namibia’s underserved communities on the one hand, and a wish for a chance of local entrepreneurship and ownership on the other hand - two pieces of a puzzle forming a beautiful picture. One way to secure basic hygiene needs is to combine it with a sense of ownership. A picture that promises a clean, safe and bright future.
The Pay4Shower project runs on solar energy and turns hygiene into a local enterprise. Entrepreneur-led shower units create modest but meaningful income: One entrepreneur oversees the facility, covers operating costs from her monthly earnings, and builds true ownership through work.
A photovoltaic module on the roof feeds a high-efficiency boiler from Fothermo Energy. The system stores heat through the night, ensuring reliable hot showers.
Clean, safe, and sustainably powered, day after day.
Just as important, Pay4Shower provides women in underserved Namibian communities with long-missing shower facilities, helping protect their health. Findings from nationally and city-representative surveys show that menstruation drives absence from both school and work across West Africa (Hennegan et al, 2021).
This isn’t just a statistic; it’s a signal to act. Through our joint initiative with InnerGirl Foundation, we expanded access to affordable reusable menstrual pads, promoting dignity, health, and sustainability.
You can make the difference and help people start their future by turning on the hot water tap.