Asmahan Rabo

As founder of Needs4Water, Asmahan Rabo has dedicated her career to improving water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) conditions across East Africa—work that blends technical expertise, community‑centered project design, and a deep commitment to education and public health. A three‑time NAIT graduate (Water & Wastewater Technician ‘12; Bachelor of Technology ‘10; Chemical Technology ‘05), Asmahan has completed 12 major water projects across the Horn of Africa, advancing safe water access and reducing waterborne illness in some of the world’s most underserved regions.  

Leading community‑focused water initiatives across East Africa 

Operating primarily from Addis Ababa, Asmahan leads projects that combine scientific assessment, community education, and systems‑level planning. Her fluency in English, Swahili, and Somali—and her ability to work directly with local residents, schools, and health officials—allows her to design interventions that are culturally aligned and technically sound. Through Needs4Water, she trains communities in safe water collection, contamination prevention, and basic water‑quality maintenance, ensuring that solutions endure long after installation. 

Project 11, a comprehensive WASH survey conducted in Oromia, Ethiopia in 2024, involved working alongside local team members to assess the conditions of a primary school serving 939 students, identifying contaminated drinking water, insufficient sanitation facilities, inadequate cleaning routines, and a lack of inclusive infrastructure for students with disabilities. The findings informed urgent recommendations, including new cleaning protocols, permanent maintenance staffing, enhanced water testing, and hygiene‑leadership programs for students. The project produced immediate change—new cleaning stations, two full‑time cleaners, and a training centre offering ongoing hygiene education for staff and students.  

Project 11 served as the pilot for the larger Project 12. The Ethiopia 2025 WASH Survey produced a 144-page report delivered to the Ministry of Education Ethiopia in November 2025. Field work began in May 2025 and used KoboToolbox for real-time data capture. Teams inspected water points, toilets, and handwashing stations against Joint Monitoring Programme service levels led by World Health Organization and UNICEF, captured lived experience through INWISE surveys, and ran on-site water quality testing for microbiological contamination, including E. coli. The study covered 25 schools across four regions, interviewing 155 staff and 1,002 students. 

Building long‑term capacity, educational access, and community resilience 

Asmahan’s work is grounded not only in water management but also in educational equity. She tutors students in English, science, and math; creates vocabulary and science booklets for schools; leads water‑testing demonstrations to inspire youth; and supports families in Jijiga with supplies, financial assistance, and mentorship. During Ethiopian New Year celebrations and throughout local holiday seasons, she has contributed significantly to community aid and educational outreach, reinforcing her commitment to holistic development alongside water infrastructure improvements. 

Project 14, Community WASH Ambassadors, turns assessment into follow-through. The initiative mobilizes local operators drawn from water treatment, wastewater, distribution, collection, and water quality roles to lead small, fundable upgrades in schools and rural communities. The work stays anchored in water quality evidence, practical maintenance, and local accountability, with rollout planned across East Africa, including Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and Djibouti. 

Asmahan’s leadership, compassion, and technical expertise have made a meaningful difference for thousands of people. Her work embodies the Alumni Award of Excellence: recent, substantial contributions with lasting local and global impact. 

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Alumni Award of Excellence

The Alumni Award of Excellence recognizes the significant contributions made in recent years by NAIT alumni to their profession or community.  

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