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Building Healthier Futures: DKJ Foundation Supports Youthlinc WASH Projects

  • Jordan Taylor
  • Oct 4
  • 2 min read

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Youthlinc is honored to announce that the David Kelby Johnson Memorial Foundation (DKJ Foundation) awarded our programs a $20,000 grant to support our 2025 international Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) initiatives. This generous gift funded the construction of latrines, septic fields, and WASH stations in rural communities across Fiji, Vietnam, Nepal, and Peru, where clean water access and safe sanitation remain urgent needs this past service year (June and July 2025).


For many families in these regions, limited sanitation infrastructure contributes to high rates of waterborne illness and environmental contamination. Something as simple as a clean water station or a well-constructed latrine can drastically reduce disease and improve daily life. With support from the DKJ Foundation, Youthlinc and our community partners have been able to help address these challenges while also investing in education and community leadership that ensure these improvements last for years to come.


Unlike standalone infrastructure projects, Youthlinc’s approach pairs construction with training and engagement. Community coalitions were formed to manage the upkeep of WASH facilities, supported by NGOs and government agencies. Our in-country partners-including the Fiji Ministry of Education, SJ Vietnam, Rotary Club of Iquitos (Peru), and Waves for Water Nepal- these international organizations will help continue to support and lead sanitation education workshops and provide ongoing support after the summer builds have been completed.


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This summer, Youthlinc volunteers joined local residents in building and installing these systems. Working side-by-side, they not only completed vital construction but also exchange ideas, culture, and friendship. For our Utah volunteers, this hands-on service experience is a powerful opportunity to see the direct link between sustainable development and healthier communities.


The success of the project is being measured in multiple ways: the number of WASH stations and latrines installed, the formation of family and community coalitions, participation in sanitation education sessions, and long-term reductions in waterborne illness. Community surveys and evaluations over the next few years will also help to capture the human impact-stories of families who no longer need to worry about unsafe water, and youth who see service as a lifelong commitment.


For over 25 years, Youthlinc has worked to “create lifetime humanitarians” through programs that combine local service with global humanitarian partnerships. This project builds on that legacy by investing in sustainable infrastructure that protects health and strengthens resilience.



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We are deeply grateful to the David Kelby Johnson Memorial Foundation for their partnership in this work. Their commitment to improving the well-being of children and families worldwide ensures that communities in Fiji, Vietnam, Nepal, and Peru will benefit from cleaner, safer, and healthier living environments. Together, we are building healthier futures-one latrine, one water station, and one community at a time.

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