In this episode, Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff sits down with Shilpa Alva, Founder of Surge for Water, to discuss how a childhood moment of witnessing inequality in Mumbai sparked a lifelong mission to bring clean water, sanitation, hygiene, and menstrual health solutions to underserved communities worldwide.
Shilpa shares her journey from the corporate world to founding an organization that operates on a revolutionary model: women-led, community-owned development that breaks the cycle of poverty. Through candid conversation, she reveals how listening to communities—truly listening—transforms the effectiveness of international aid work.
KEY TOPICS DISCUSSED
The Power of Childhood Witnessing
How Shilpa's observations as a seven-year-old in Mumbai planted the seeds for her life's work
The difference between recognizing privilege and understanding injustice
From Corporate to Calling
Shilpa's journey climbing the corporate ladder while feeling unfulfilled
How she heard her inner voice calling her back to purpose
Why she took six years to transition from corporate work to full-time nonprofit leadership
The Education-Water Connection
Why 120 of 150 students didn't show up to school in rural India
How water scarcity directly impacts educational access
The health consequences of unsafe water on children's ability to learn
Learning From Mentorship in Haiti
The transformative lessons from living with a local partner organization leader
The cautionary tale of millions spent on beautiful houses with no infrastructure
How "staying with locals, listening, and learning" became the foundation of Surge's model
Surge for Water's Women-Led, Community-Owned Model
What makes Surge different from traditional international aid organizations
The three core values: Equity, Respect, and Stewardship
Why community ownership isn't just ethical—it's essential for sustainability
Water Plus: A Comprehensive Approach
Water access goes beyond wells—it includes sanitation and hygiene
How Surge teaches communities to make their own soap, creating women-run enterprises
The critical role of menstrual health education in girls' empowerment and school attendance
Geographic Strategy and Intentional Depth
Why Surge reduced from 12 countries to 3 (Uganda, Haiti, Indonesia)
Working in remote, rural areas where other NGOs don't operate
Building partnerships with local government and community-based organizations
Cultural Humility and Gender Dynamics
Navigating patriarchal societies without imposing Western values
How Shilpa meets women in kitchens and under mango trees—safe spaces for real conversation
Respecting cultural context while amplifying women's voices
The difference between cultural respect and tolerance for harm
Partnership Over Colonialism
Why Surge works through local partners, not directly with governments
How trust-building with community leaders comes before government engagement
The importance of pilots and data alongside relationship-building
Recent Evolution and Future Vision
The exciting new model of supporting smaller women-led organizations to scale
How Surge is thinking about creating a "feeder system" of partners
The expansion happening in Uganda this week
ABOUT SURGE FOR WATER
Surge for Water is a movement led by women and owned by communities. The organization delivers safe water, sanitation, hygiene, and menstrual health solutions through an investment in women-led, community-owned models that create lasting change and break the cycle of poverty.
Currently operating in Uganda, Haiti, and Indonesia, Surge works in remote, rural communities—often described as "forgotten lands"—where other international NGOs don't operate. Their comprehensive Water Plus approach addresses not just water access but the interconnected challenges of sanitation, hygiene education, and menstrual health.
Surge for Water is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit registered in the United States with headquarters in Chicago and a branch in Dubai.
ABOUT SHILPA ALVA
Shilpa Alva is the Founder and Executive Director of Surge for Water. Her passion for global equity and community empowerment began at age seven during a visit to Mumbai, India. After earning her degree and working in the corporate sector, she felt called to dedicate her life to international development work.
Shilpa's approach is rooted in cultural humility, genuine partnership, and a deep belief that communities hold the solutions to their own challenges. She has lived and worked extensively in Haiti, Uganda, and Indonesia, learning firsthand the importance of staying with locals, listening, and building trust-based partnerships.
RESOURCES & LINKS
Visit Surge for Water: www.surgeforwater.org
Follow Surge for Water on Social Media: @SurgeForWater (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, X)
Connect with Shilpa Alva on LinkedIn: Search "Shilpa Alva"
WHAT MAKES SURGE GUTSY?
According to Shilpa, Surge is gutsy because:
They dare to dream and follow through, refusing to take shortcuts that compromise their values and model
They're willing to acknowledge when they're not doing things correctly and commit to fixing and improving
They operate with a decolonizing lens, centering community wisdom and leadership
They stay true to their mission even when it's harder, more stressful, and more expensive than easier alternatives
SMALL & GUTSY MISSION
Small & Gutsy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit podcast spotlighting nonprofits and social enterprises with budgets under $10 million. The show elevates the visibility of small but mighty changemakers doing bold, passionate, and impactful work.
Small & Gutsy has been ranked #8 on FeedSpot's Top 30 Social Impact Podcasts and #9 by Million Podcasts for Youth Empowerment episodes.
DO YOU KNOW A NONPROFIT DOING INCREDIBLE WORK?
If you know of a nonprofit or social enterprise making real impact, nominate them to be featured on Small & Gutsy. Contact Dr. Laura Scherck Wittcoff at laura@smallandgutsy.org.
Check out other episodes of Small & Gutsy at SmallAndGutsy.org.
