Project Overview

While serving as a Public Health Specialist with the United States Peace Corps in Albania, I led a community-driven Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) infrastructure improvement initiative designed to improve access to safe running water and sanitation for a rural school community.

The project addressed infrastructure deficiencies that affected students' health, school operations, and long-term community well-being. Working closely with school leadership, municipal partners, community members, and local stakeholders, I coordinated the planning and implementation of sustainable improvements that benefited more than 600 students and teachers.

The Challenge

The school lacked reliable water and sanitation infrastructure, creating barriers to student health, hygiene, and learning.

The project required balancing technical improvements with long-term sustainability while coordinating multiple stakeholders with limited financial and operational resources.

Success depended not only on installing infrastructure, but also on building local ownership to ensure the improvements could be maintained after project completion.

My Approach

As Project Lead, I managed the initiative from concept through completion.

Key responsibilities included:

Conducting community and stakeholder needs assessments.
Identifying infrastructure priorities and operational risks.
Developing implementation plans and project timelines.
Coordinating partnerships with school leadership and community organizations.
Managing logistics and resource allocation.
Facilitating stakeholder communication throughout implementation.
Monitoring project progress and adjusting activities as needed.
Developing sustainability recommendations and transition plans for long-term success.

Results & Impact

The project successfully delivered sustainable water and sanitation improvements that enhanced the daily learning environment for more than 600 students and teachers.

Beyond the physical infrastructure, the initiative strengthened partnerships between schools and community stakeholders while establishing a sustainable framework for continued maintenance and operation.

The experience reinforced that effective public health projects combine infrastructure improvements with collaboration, planning, and long-term community engagement.

Skills Demonstrated
-Infrastructure Project Management
-Community Development
-Stakeholder Engagement
-Cross-Cultural Collaboration
-Public Health Planning
-Risk Management
-Strategic Planning
-Resource Coordination
-Sustainability Planning
-Partnership Development

Why this project matters

This project demonstrates my belief that sustainable change begins by listening to communities, understanding their priorities, and developing practical solutions that continue creating value long after implementation. It also laid the foundation for my continued work in public health, emergency preparedness, and organizational resilience.