Thank you to the thousands of you who voted worldwide for our five amazing teams of young water heroes in Cape Town, Mumbai, New York City, São Paulo and Shanghai.
We are very pleased to announce that Mumbai was the top-voted project and will now have the opportunity for three young leaders to travel to Manchester when restrictions allow for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
This will include a visit to the Etihad Stadium, learning more about water challenges and solutions, and receiving further training on using the power of football to improve the health and wellbeing of young people in their communities.
Varsha, a Young Leader with Magic Bus India Foundation in Mumbai, said: “I am so happy to have been selected. This is a wonderful opportunity, a dream come true.
“Thank you to Manchester City, Xylem and Magic Bus. I promise to contribute to the development of my community, and I can’t wait to watch a football match at the Etihad Stadium!”
In India 88 million people lack access to safe water. Through this project in Mumbai, Young Leaders are working to improve access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), going into the local community to understand the water-related issues that people are facing.
At the start of the 2021/22 season, young leaders joined forces with Xylem to install a clean water tower in Mumbai, which provides a safe and long-term supply of fresh drinking water for 1,800 people per day.
Our teams of young water heroes have all stepped up to make a positive difference in their communities.
From preventing urban flooding and water pollution in New York City, to improving water access in underserved communities in Cape Town, to water sustainability education for all in Shanghai, to empowering youth to campaign on water access and pollution in São Paulo.
Congratulations to all our Young Leaders for the phenomenal impact they are having by using football to tackle water challenges in their communities.
“All the Water Heroes Academy teams are so inspiring,” said Randolf Waters, Xylem’s Sr. Director of Global Partnerships & Branding.
“Big congratulations to the Mumbai team – but not forgetting that all the teams are making real contributions to solving water challenges in their communities.
“All of us at Xylem are proud to celebrate them, and proud to partner with Cityzens Giving and our local NGOs in making the Water Heroes Academy possible.”
This Cityzens Giving project in Mumbai, part of Water Heroes Academy, is delivered in partnership with Magic Bus India Foundation, and generously supported by Xylem.
Water Heroes Academy launched in March 2022 and has to date reached 3,000 young people in 5 cities with vital water education.
The initiative is part of Xylem and Man City’s multi-year partnership to raise awareness, educate and engage the public around global water challenges.
