Sameh Seif Ghali founded Together Association for Development and Environment (TA) in Egypt to tackle pressing environmental and health challenges in rural areas. While studying Ecological Environmental Agriculture in the Netherlands, Ghali was inspired by the potential of innovative, low-cost technologies to solve issues in his home country. TA focuses on improving water quality, sanitation, and public health in rural Egyptian villages through affordable, community-based sewage systems that are far cheaper than traditional government-planned solutions.

Ghali’s approach involves training local residents, including housewives and unemployed youth, to design, build, and maintain these systems, fostering community engagement and a sense of ownership. Under his leadership, TA has also introduced biogas units that connect sewage systems to power generators, providing an eco-friendly energy source for villages. TA’s model is already benefiting over 10,000 people across two villages in Bani-Suief, and the organization plans to reach 17 more villages in the coming years, with goals to expand this model beyond Egypt to other parts of the Middle East.

TA is also building a network of grassroots organizations to promote and advocate for this model, aiming to influence public policy and government practices to extend sanitation services to underserved rural populations. Through TA’s efforts, Ghali envisions a future where low-cost, sustainable sanitation systems can enhance quality of life across Egypt and beyond.