Sony Pun – President

Sony Pun has served as a Project Officer at Kanchan Nepal, actively promoting rainwater harvesting in rural communities across Nepal. She has contributed to key initiatives such as the Rain Communities project, an Integrated Water Resource Management initiative, and the Blue School Program, all implemented in collaboration with Kanchan Nepal and the International Rainwater Harvesting Alliance. Sony’s expertise includes assisting in research on rainwater harvesting and the impacts of climate change on water resources and public health. Passionate about climate change adaptation, particularly rainwater harvesting, she has been a dedicated member of the Young Rainwater Champions (YRC). As a Steering Committee member, Sony has played an important role in numerous YRC initiatives and will now provide leadership as the incoming YRC President.

Md Fahad Rabid – Director

Fahad Rabid is a climate change and social activist holding an MSc in Climate Change and Development from the Independent University of Bangladesh. He has volunteered with the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, serving as Chief of Health and Chief of Disaster Response from 2018 to 2021. Fahad has worked with international NGOs such as UNDP, Save the Children, and Youth Net for Climate Justice, both as a volunteer and professional. His work spans climate change, sustainable finance, nature conservation, and water resource management. Currently, Fahad is the Secretary-General and Co-Founder of the Individual Climate Action Network (ICAN). A committed Young Rainwater Champion since its inception, he now brings his expertise to the Steering Committee as a Director.

Vijayraj Shisodya

Vijayraj Shisodya is a passionate advocate for rainwater harvesting who has trained over 7,300 individuals in groundwater recharging and rooftop rainwater harvesting techniques. He has shared his expertise through hundreds of webinars, seminars, and conferences promoting rainwater harvesting. Mr. Shisodya has consulted on the implementation of more than 246,000 rooftop rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge structures. Additionally, he has contributed to river, pond, and lake rejuvenation projects. Actively collaborating with social organizations such as Rotary, Jaycee’s, and Hasiru Ratha, he has earned several accolades, including the prestigious Namma Bengaluru award. Currently, he serves as Director of the Farmland Rainwater Harvesting System in Karnataka, India.

Andy Alegre

Based in the Philippines, Andy Copada Alegre has 15 years of experience in community development, disaster risk reduction and management, partnerships, and child protection. He has taught university courses on disaster risk reduction and management and collaborated with civil society organizations on climate change, community protection, and social cohesion. Andy currently coordinates the Human Security Cluster for The Climate Reality Project Philippines, a community of Filipino Climate Reality Leaders innovating solutions to the climate crisis. He has organized numerous training and workshops on climate change, water conservation, and environmental protection. Andy founded the Young Earth Savers (YES) Movement, a youth volunteer organization promoting environmental education and action, and the Youth Peacebuilders Society (YPS), which works towards just, peaceful, and sustainable communities. He holds an MA in International Law and Human Rights from the UN-mandated University for Peace (Costa Rica) and an MA in Political Science (Global Politics) from Ateneo de Manila University. He enjoys hiking, traveling, and reading for self-care.

Salahuddin Saiphy

Salahuddin Saiphy is a water management expert loaded with in-depth knowledge of water related issues and more than 25 years of experience in water sector including project designing, execution, project management, fund raising, partnership management, research, reporting, monitoring, evaluation, capacity building, and team building among others. He possesses command on planning, designing and implementation of low-cost sustainable water management solutions both in urban and rural areas. Saiphy has designed and implemented more than 1600 projects on water management so far. Saiphy possesses special expertise in Rooftop rainwater harvesting, rainwater runoff management, ground water augmentation, ground water management, efficient irrigation techniques, wastewater disposal, rural water supply, awareness campaigns, training & capacity building of water professionals etc. More than 70 check dams (ranging from 50-225 metres in length) in Haryana, Rajasthan, Telangana & Andhra Pradesh are harvesting billions of litres of water each year.

Saiphy has also organized more than 200 training programs on rainwater harvesting, Water Management and Environmental Education and trained more than 7,000 professionals from government, NGOs and private sector including architects, engineers, consultants, teachers and students from across the world. He holds a Master’s in Applied Geology. Salahuddin currently serves as Director Water Management at S.M Sehgal Foundation in India.

Andy Alegre

Mr. Andy Alegre has been working for over 10 years in various areas of community development, peace, and development. He is a Social Engagement Lecturer at De La Salle University (DLSU) in Manila, Philippines where he teaches project management, community development, disaster risk reduction and management, and social justice issues.

Mr. Alegre is also a Climate Reality Leader and works with communities in advancing sustainable development goals focusing on areas of climate change education, water conservation, digital literacy, children’s rights, and strengthening social cohesion. He holds an MA in International Law and Human Rights from the United Nations-Mandated University for Peace (UPEACE) in Costa Rica and an MA in Political Science, Major in Global Politics from the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) in the Philippines.

Munguakonkwa Ntibonera Jean Bosco

Representing Youth Rainwater Champions in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Jean Bosco was named Climate Ambassador of the Congo Basin in 2023. He is an active youth advocate for climate action, environmental conservation, and youth-led initiatives in the Greater Kivu region and beyond. Currently pursuing a master’s degree in Biodiversity at Rennes University, France, he aims to strengthen his scientific and technical skills to contribute effectively to ecosystem management and conservation projects. Jean Bosco has participated in regional and international climate forums, advocating for the meaningful inclusion of young people in environmental and climate decision-making. His work focuses on advocacy, community mobilization, and supporting youth platforms engaged in climate governance, sustainable resource management, and biodiversity protection. As a Steering Committee member of the Young Rainwater Champions, he plans to emphasize local adaptation solutions such as rainwater harvesting, environmental education in schools, reforestation, and the promotion of traditional ecological knowledge.

Ms. Sony Pun

Sony Pun is a Project Officer in Kanchan Nepal. She has been actively promoting rainwater harvesting in the rural communities of Nepal through the projects; Rain Communities, an Integrated Water Resource Management Project, and the Blue School Programme implemented by Kanchan Nepal and the International Rainwater Harvesting Alliance. She has work experience of assisting in studies related to rainwater harvesting, and climate change impacts on water resources and health. She is passionate about working on climate change adaptation projects, especially rainwater harvesting.

Md Fahad Rabid

Fahad is a 25-year-old climate change and social activist. He is reading for an MSc in Climate change and development at the independent university of Bangladesh. He has also been a volunteer with the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society and has served as the Chief of Health and Chief of the Disaster Response team from 2018 to 2021. Fahad has worked with leading international NGOs including UNDP, SAVE the Children, and Youth Net for Climate Justice as a volunteer and as a professional. His work is affiliated with climate change, sustainable finance, nature, nature conservation, and water. Fahad is currently serving as the Secretary-General (Co-Founder) of the Individual Climate Action Network (ICAN).

Mr. Akash Varia

He is a passionate activist for rainwater harvesting. Akash has been an active member of the Young Rainwater Champions Collective from its inception. Currently, he is General Manager (Head) Neerain Pvt Ltd, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.

Md. Artik Mollick

Md. Atiqur Rahman Mollick is an Environment Specialist at Onushandhani Creeds Ltd., Bangladesh & and I’m also a regular writer at a digital platform named Ecowowlife blog. He has also been involved with the ERBD (Environmental Research Bangladesh) group for years. He has been an Environment and Development Professional since 2009 in several national and international organizations in different parts of Bangladesh.

Carol Kaitano

Carol Kaitano is a water management technical officer currently working with the Rainwater Harvesting Association of Malawi. Her work is focused on helping local communities utilize and conserve their land and water resources through rainwater harvesting.  Carols’ work is rooted in improving community resilience and improving their resilience and livelihoods through the adoption of RWH activities in their farms and activities. She has a BSc in Land and Water Management and has obtained a certificate in Gender and Human Rights-based International Water Resources Management.

Andy Alegre

Mr. Andy Alegre has been working for over 10 years in various areas of community development, peace, and development. He is a Social Engagement Lecturer at De La Salle University (DLSU) in Manila, Philippines where he teaches project management, community development, disaster risk reduction and management, and social justice issues.

Mr. Alegre is also a Climate Reality Leader and works with communities in advancing sustainable development goals focusing on areas of climate change education, water conservation, digital literacy, children’s rights, and strengthening social cohesion. He holds an MA in International Law and Human Rights from the United Nations-Mandated University for Peace (UPEACE) in Costa Rica and an MA in Political Science, Major in Global Politics from the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) in the Philippines.

Michael Maluki

Michael Maluki is a civil engineer serving the government of Makueni County, Kenya as a Superintendent Roads Engineer for the Green Roads for Programme. He has many years of experience in road construction including conception, planning, implementation, project management, community, and public participation. Michael is an expert in Road Runoff Harvesting for Climate Resilience infrastructural development, improved community livelihoods, and climate resilience.

Sithara Kumarasinghe

Sithara Kumarasinghe works at the Lanka Rainwater Harvesting Forum as a Monitoring and Evaluation officer. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Town and Country Planning from the University of Moratuwa in Sri Lanka. She is a member of the Institute of Town Planners Sri Lanka. She also serves as the Finance Lead for the Youth and Young Water Professional Platform in South Asia, as well as the country lead for the Asia Pacific Sustainable Development Youth Forum 2023.