In September 2008 and 2009 Magnum photographer Olivia Arthur travelled to two regions in East Africa; Amuria in the warring north-east of Uganda, and Chigongwe and Michese; two small rural communities near the capital Dodoma, in the dry central region of Tanzania. Although they differed in many ways each lacked the water and sanitation facilities they needed to take their first steps out of poverty.

International charities WaterAid and Simavi have been working with the communities and local partner organizations here since 2008 to bring improved hygiene, clean water and latrines. Arthur’s photographs...