A Q&A with Global WASH Advisor and recipient of ACGC’s 2025 Top 30 Under 30 award

Each year, the first full week of February, Canada celebrates International Development Week (IDW).  It’s an important week that sheds a light on the Canadian organizations and individuals working to eradicate poverty worldwide. It is also the time that the Alberta Council of Global Cooperation releases its annual Top 30 Under 30 recipients. The list, in its 14th consecutive year,  features 30 young leaders, nominated by their community and selected by a committee of peers, and celebrates them for their work making the world a most fair and sustainable place for all.

Amongst this year’s list is CAWST’s own, Adefolawe (Fola) Adeyeye. A Global WASH Advisor on the Africa team, Fola has an inspirational story growing up in Nigeria, witnessing the negative impacts of the global water crisis in rural communities and dedicating her life to being part of positive change. 

She was nominated for her exceptional commitment and tangible impact in promoting the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 6, which aims to ensure universal access to water and sanitation. In her role at CAWST, Fola has led training initiatives and capacity-building programs in Africa, focusing on improving access to safe drinking water and sanitation, while supporting the sustainable management of water resources. Her warm candor and willingness to help take complex topics and make them into easily understood topics has been an incredible asset to the team.

To celebrate this important accomplishment, we sat down with Fola to learn more about her work and what this award means to her.

CAWST: Congrats on being part of ACGC’s Top 30 Under 30! Can you describe what this award means to you? 

Fola: When I first heard that I was nominated, I was genuinely surprised and happy. I am grateful that others were motivated to put my name forward. I have worked for a number of years through my education and career to advocate for access to clean water as a fundamental human right. To see my hard work recognized is incredibly humbling. In summary, this award means everything to me.

CAWST: What would you like to share with Canadians passionate about engaging on international development issues? 

Fola: I’d tell them to go for it! The world needs you. Whether you have an interest in advocacy, donating your time or resources, or going to school to study a course that helps further international development, we need your passion and commitment! I would also share that no effort is too small. We all have to work together to achieve global impact.

If you’re interested in volunteering with CAWST specifically, please send an email to volunteers@cawst.org with your name and general areas of interest.

CAWST: What brought you to CAWST? 

Fola: I learned about CAWST through my studies at the University of British Columbia. I was completing my Masters of Applied Science in Civil Engineering (MASc) degree and taking a course on water and sanitation in low-resource contexts. I saw a photo of a biosand filter with CAWST’s logo on it. I was immediately impressed by the technology and its impact around the world. Fast forward two years later, I had completed my master’s and was searching for a job. I was passionate about finding a meaningful career that would help me use my education and my passion for addressing the complex challenges related to addressing the global water crisis.

When I saw the opening for a Global WASH Advisor at CAWST, I applied right away. The day that I received the call that I got the job, was one of the happiest moments of my life. From the moment I stepped foot into our Calgary, Alberta office, I felt like I belonged. Everyone was warm and welcoming, and it felt incredible to work with an organization whose vision aligns so perfectly with my own commitment and motivation — a world where people have the opportunity to succeed because their basic water and sanitation needs have been met.

“Sharing knowledge is one of the most important ways to solve the global water crisis. I am happy I get to be part of this important solution.” 

- Fola Adeyeye

CAWST: We know you have worked on several projects since joining CAWST from water quality in emergency training to projects primarily supporting women and youth facing WASH-related challenges. What is one project that you are most proud of since you joined CAWST?

Fola: Being part of the Women-led WASH for Healthy Homes project in Ethiopia has been a particularly rewarding experience. This project is supported by our partners from the Ethiopian Kale Heywet Church Development Commission and the Government of Canada. It focuses on reducing inequalities and improving health and wellbeing of women and girls, most impacted by WASH issues in their communities. The lack of access to safe water and sanitation has had major impacts on their health, dignity and daily life — and we are changing this through our work.

In the past few months, I have worked alongside my team to develop an interactive three-day in-person workshop on rainwater harvesting systems. This workshop will be used by our partner in Ethiopia to train others and further expand life-saving knowledge and capacity. I am continually inspired by the incredible work happening on this project. The efforts of the local health promoters actively educating their communities on accessible and affordable solutions to address water issues have led to improvements, with more people treating their water and gaining access to safe drinking water.

Sharing knowledge is one of the most important ways to solve the global water crisis. I am happy I get to be part of this important solution.

CAWST: You have been an inspiration to us since you joined CAWST. Can you tell us a bit more about what drives you?

Fola: My motivation comes from growing up in a developing country and witnessing the urgent need for safe water, sanitation and hygiene. I am committed to a future where everyone has these essentials — where women have an equal voice in decision-making, menstrual hygiene health is free from stigma or shame, and where children can learn and thrive without the burden of fetching water. Most importantly, I am driven to ensure that no one is left behind in the pursuit of basic human rights and dignity. These aspirations continue to push me in my daily work with my team at CAWST and I am grateful to work in an environment where we all share this drive.

Learn more:

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