Improving Health in Africa Begins With Water
Health | Hunger | Poverty | Education
Good health begins with access to clean water.
Did you know that half of the world's hospital beds are filled with people suffering from a water related disease? In developing countries, about 80% of illnesses are linked to poor water and sanitation conditions. 1 out of every 5 deaths under the age of 5 worldwide is due to a water-related disease. Clean and safe water is essential to healthy living.
Tiny worms and bacteria live in water naturally. Most of the bacteria are pretty harmless. But some of them can cause devastating disease in humans. And since they can't be seen, they can't be avoided. Every glass of dirty water is a potential killer.
Most of these waterborne diseases aren't found in developed countries because of the sophisticated water systems that filter and chlorinate water to eliminate all disease carrying organisims. But typhoid fever, cholera and many other diseases still run rampant in the developing parts of the world.
Water and Young Children
Infants and young children are especially susceptible to diseases because their immune systems are experiencing everything for the first time. Even in developed countries, lots of moms boil water before giving it to their children - just to be doubly safe. In poor countries, the fuel for the fire can be so expensive that mothers can't afford to boil water and cook food.
Poor health leads to poor productivity.
The sickness caused by dirty water saps people's energy to do much of anything. If you've ever had food poisoning, you know how horrible it can be. Students who suffer from water borne illness can't stay in class. They miss out on the chance to learn and the cycle of poverty continues. That and when one person is sick, someone else has to take care of them, which means that the second person can't work either. If the sick person needs medicine, that money can't be used used for other things, like food or school supplies.
Rural dwellers and the urban poor feel the lack of safe water and proper sanitation in the developing world the most. With few medical resources at their disposal, the poor are particularly vulnerable to chronic illnesses that hinder their productivity, making the escape from poverty even more difficult.
Help. Give Water and Improve Health.
For often less than $20 per person, The Water Project is able to work with local partners to provide access to clean water as well as hygiene and sanitation programs. These training programs greatly reduce the disease burden in their communities, allowing villagers to increase their productivity and begin working themselves out of poverty. You can be a part of the solution to reduce disease among the worlds poorest communities.
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about "The Water Challenge"
“The opportunity to help others puts a joy in your heart like nothing else can. Our whole school was able to be a part of something that will forever change people's lives...We look forward to seeing the project completed.”
- Casey, H.S. Student
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