Arup Americas
On April 1, 2006 engineeering firm Arup celebrated its 60th anniversary with the launch of the Arup Cause that comprises a worldwide series of opportunities for employees to celebrate their values.
The Arup Cause focuses primarily on its partnership with WaterAid and gives Arup employees different options to use their knowledge, skills and enthusiasm to shape a better world.
As part of Arup Americas’ commitment to WaterAid, a one-year employee giving campaign was launched in December 2005 that encouraged employee contributions by raising awareness and motivating Arup staff about water and sanitation issues.
Arup also launched a “Drawing Water” Competition that solicited ideas for how to help many more people gain access to safe water and effective sanitation.
Here in New York City, Arup also hosted a benefit concert with West African musicians to raise awareness and funds for WaterAid’s work in Nigeria.
Gregory Hodkinson, a Group Board Director and Chairman of the Americas Region of Arup, is Chair of WaterAid's US Board of Directors.
Zak Kostura experimenting with lining latrine pits with bamboo to improve their stability.
Arup Americas employee and engineer Zak Kostura was supported by Arup in undertaking a placement in Nigeria to help WaterAid enhance the sustainability of its interventions there.
By the time of Kostura's stay in Nigeria, in the fall of 2007,
Arup funding had supported the establishment of clean water and sanitation in 12 communities in Benue State, Nigeria. Each has possession of a new water point, providing clean water to thousands,and sanitation and hygiene programs have led to the construction of nearly 1,000 household latrines.
Kostura commented: "It is impressive to see what has been done with Arup’s support since we first donned our Arup Cause t-shirts; it is inspiring to see the impact clean water and sanitation can have on the lives of people who have lived without it.
"For many of us, the connection to this seemingly abundant resource is taken for granted. Words and photographs can convey only a small fraction of the experience of meeting entire families that struggle each day to fill a single calabash."
Read Zak Kostura's WaterAid Diaries on the Arup website.
For more information on corporate support of WaterAid, please call Lisa Millman on (212) 683 0430 or email us. Back to top
Arup is a global firm of designers, engineers, planners and business
consultants providing a diverse range of professional services in three
main areas – buildings, infrastructure and consulting.
The firm has
over 10,000 staff working in more than 90 offices in 37 countries. A
commitment to the environment and the communities where they work has
always been at the heart of the Arup ethos.
Words and photographs can convey only a small fraction of the experience of meeting entire families that struggle each day to fill a single calabash.
