The Wash Project

Simple in design and elegant in execution, The Wash Project is an exemplar for what a small NGO can be. Its impact is multidimensional and purposeful: improving public health, economic development, and community development in an interconnected way. From a donor’s perspective, it is ideal. Structural costs and overhead a very low, maximizing the donor’s return on investment.

I've been involved with The Wash Project for about five years now and have been the Treasurer since we spun it out of Medical Missions into it's own legal entity. The mission of the Wash Project is beautiful - teaching healthy sanitation practices to a remote corner of Africa to help remove some of the structural barriers that keep these beautiful people in poverty. But the way the Wash Project goes about its work is very special. It's an organization with lots of respect for the community it's serving, and that seeks to serve and be led by the community in which it is working.


The Wash Project operates with very little overhead. Nearly 100% of the funds raised go to Africa. There's no staff or office in the US, so The Wash Project is very efficient with the dollars it raises.

I am consistently impressed with the accomplishments and dedication of the staff, volunteers, and board members of this organization. We've been supporters since the beginning and watching The Wash Project grow and flourish is wonderful. This is a rare and uplifting project on so many levels. I love that my money goes directly to help improve the lives of women and men in Mali. The organizers consistently post videos and updates so I can see the results of where the money goes and that helps me feel a part of the progress. I feel connected to the people and their communities and I celebrate with them in their sucesses. I love the Wash Project! Keep up the good work.

The Wash Project is a charity I endorse whole heartedly and fervently. Since its inception, The Wash Project has been supported entirely through the collaborative efforts of gracious donors and through the project creator, Barclay Martin, who has built this project from the ground up with his innovative spirit, hard work, and charitable heart. This project serves a small community in Mali by providing access to clean drinking water, promoting hand washing education, essential equipment for the local hospital, and in economic empowerment of the community's women and children. And all of this work occurs with very little administrative overhead. The work of this project has changed the landscape of its community and will continue to do so through the generous support of its creator and supporters.

The Wash Project deserves a top rating for its commitment to mankind and womankind and its successful efforts to improve lives hygienically and economically. Almost every time I wash my hands, which is often these endangered days, I think of Barclay Martin's Mali hand- washing and soap making that is saving, many many lives. Another impressive success is the bridge that was recently built, with much enthusiasm and joy, to enable a women's gardening co-operative to more easily reach their gardens. The money they earn from marketing their produce sustains themselves and their families. Ann Nelson

I have spent my career working for varied not-for-profits organizations with some of them serving the poor in our inner cities. I have also worked with several projects in third world countries, including a medical mission, and I could not be more impressed with the work the Wash Project. The way in which your organization is funded and run are very, not to mention the idea behind your work, are very good. I wish you the best and will continue to support you in the future.

This web site gave me important information about the "Wash" project.
The pictures told a story regarding the human side of washing hands especially in light of the Corona Virus.
I liked the story about the women making soap.
The web site reminded me that humanity is the same world wide: we all have a need for clean water and need cleanliness.
Well done message on this web site!

We contribute to several non-profits, but the Wash Project is one of the most worthwhile and valuable of all of them. Something as simple as using soap and hand washing has and does make a huge difference in people's health. We are especially impressed by the fact that the community is involved and consulted in what works best for them. This is a great example of working together to solve a problem, not simply imposing a solution to a problem that only an outsider may see. Both will learn from their cooperation and coordination. Mary and John Becker

The Wash Project is a superb visionary idea that has arisen from a young American listening to the advice of the local people in the town of Ouelessebougou, Mali, West Africa. Out of a remarkable friendship between Barclay Martin from Kansas City and Tieblecoro Samake from Ouelessebougou has grown a vibrant
partnership in community development. Called Beseya in the local language. Wash Project has developed resources for and education to support: (1) community-wide hand-washing with soap and water to combat the spread of infectious disease and (2) a gardening co-op to help local women provide food security for their families and market their own produce. Through its many initiatives ( including sports tournaments for boys and girls) Wash Project offers a model for doIng maximal good with minimal financial resources. The key is local consultation and leadership. Outstanding.

The Wash Project is simple in design yet is manifesting powerful results! As a physician, I know the importance of public health, personal cleanliness and good hygiene towards promoting good individual health - something most of us take for granted. Barclay Martin's Wash Project is an effective method to promote good hygiene habits using local individuals and inexpensive supplies to teach necessary public health habits which quickly results in improved health - especially in children. My wife and I wholeheartedly support Barclay and the Wash Project because we know it will save countless lives.

In addition to being an ongoing donor, I have designated The Wash Project in Mali as my charity with Smile Amazon. With every Amazon purchase we make on the Smile Amazon website, Amazon will make a donation to the designated charity of your choice.

In addition to making personal or business donations to The Wash Project, please consider designating this very worthy non-profit as your specified charity with Amazon and make all future purchases on the Smile Amazon website.

The Wash Project focuses on one of the basics of good health. Through this organization folks in Mali have integrated basic hand washing into their daily lives. The Wash Project taught them how to produce soap, helped arrange access to clean water and assisted in improving access to farm land. Most impressive is that Barclay Martin and his counterpart in Mali are the “engines” that has made all of this possible. Barclay has raised the money that supports these activities and has done this on a uncompensated volunteer basis.

The Wash Project is inspiring. With so many negatives in today's world, the Covid 19 crisis in particular, I find it heartening to be a part of something that is pure and good. I still have my first bar of Hippo Soap (Mali means Hippo.) The Wash Project not only teaches the importance of good hygiene, it provides the means to do so. A women's collective makes the soap, providing meaningful work for women. A special vehicle transports water to remote villages. More recently, the Wash Project helped women gardeners build a bridge so that they could access the garden during the rainy season. Has there ever been a time when hand washing was more important than now? Jo Ann Stanley

Having spent time in Africa and as a Pediatrician, I am acutely aware of the positive impact of handwashing and clean water on people’s health and overall well-being. I applaud and thoroughly support Barclay’s work and focused mission in Mali. I love contributing to The Wash Project knowing well the simply but powerful mission of this non-profit!
Michele G. Kilo, MD

We have followed and supported Barclay Martin’s charitable work abroad for many years. We know that any organization he is associated with is worthy of our support. We know, too, that the money he raises goes mainly and directly to the people who need it most. It does not go for “administrative costs” or first-class air travel or lavish fund-raisers. Barclay Martin is the real deal. He doesn’t just talk a good game. He leads by example.