Faith Kuya, co-founder of SafeSip Straws, grew up around Tanzania's capital, Dodoma. With 44.9 million residents, nearly a quarter of the city is experiencing poverty, and most don’t have access to electricity (Tanzania Health Partnership).

Located in a drought-prone area of the country, the community largely relies on groundwater which is more likely to contain contaminants that can lead to illness—something Faith personally experienced growing up. 

“As a child, I often fell ill from waterborne illnesses, missing school and falling behind,” shared Faith. “This personal struggle fueled my determination to find a solution that could make a real difference in the lives of people facing similar challenges. I wanted to empower communities to take control of their water security and improve their health and wellbeing.”  

Before launching SafeSip, Faith gained valuable insights interning at a municipal water treatment facility. There, she witnessed the challenges of providing clean, safe drinking water—especially in underserved communities—and the direct impact it can make on public health and quality of life. 

Not long after her internship, Faith’s commitment to finding a sustainable solution to clean drinking water grew stronger—leading her to conduct months of research and connect with experts. Then, while participating in a network for social entrepreneurs, Faith met her future co-founders. 

“We connected over a shared passion for clean water access and decided to launch SafeSip Straws after numerous brainstorming sessions about how to make a tangible impact,” shared Faith. 

ABOUT SAFESIP STRAWS

SafeSip Straws produces an innovative straw that filters 99.9% of bacteria, providing communities with safer drinking water at an affordable price for up to five years. Made with recycled ocean plastic, the straws utilize a hollow-fiber UF membrane and coconut-activated carbon to filter water quickly.  

Since launching in 2023, more than 3,200 straws have been distributed around Tanzania, made possible through partnerships with local NGOs, wholesale retailers, and direct-to-consumer sales. 

“Access to clean, safe water is a fundamental human right, yet millions of people worldwide lack this basic necessity,” shared Faith. “SafeSip Straws addresses this critical need by providing an easy-to-use, portable water filtration solution that can be utilized anywhere, from remote villages to urban slums. By bridging the gap between water scarcity and water security, we aim to transform lives and communities globally.” 

SAFESIP STRAWS IN THE BECAUSE ACCELERATOR

Faith joined the Because Accelerator’s 2024 Cohort, where she spent 16 weeks training with other entrepreneurs around the world. 

“Participating in the Because Accelerator presented an invaluable opportunity to learn from industry experts, connect with like-minded social entrepreneurs, and access resources to scale our impact,” said Faith. “The [program’s] focus on the business model canvas was invaluable—it provided crucial clarity on my company’s value proposition and key activities.” 

At the end of the program, Faith had the opportunity to compete in the post-cohort pitch competition, where she was voted as the winner and took home prize funds. 

Faith hopes that SafeSip will have distributed 150,000 straws to rural children and families across Tanzania in five years. To purchase a straw or partner with SafeSip Straws, you can visit their website. 

Visit our Accelerator page to learn more about Faith or the Because Accelerator, a free online training and mentorship program for entrepreneurs.