I have some experience. Fly by charity don’t or charity work don’t work in pakistan.(I have heard they work no where)
What your friend wants to establish, is going to need serious learning.
One thing is for sure with no connection one year is not enough at all.
If the money is safe, then he should try to establish connection with people in need.
(He has to find out how)
Or he could build a business there, while doing that he would establish connection and he can observe. With business income he could further work on his plan.
For swab only projects, he can put water machines, But with no income coming in, he would eventually run out of resources.
Money is significant if he is willing to spend a lot of time.
But just to give out Bill Gate style, its not.