Clean water infrastructure is one of the most powerful tools to reduce poverty through sanitation. Decreasing the staggering 15 percent rate of open defecation and improving access to clean drinking water is a global initiative that many water and sanitation organizations have made their mission. The deficiency in these services has plagued rural communities for too long and contributes to major disparities.
Poor sanitation puts insurmountable pressure on the health of communities and gives way to severe water-borne diseases. Open defecation, in particular, leads to fecal contamination. Women and girls are especially burdened by this issue. Girls have to spend a lot of time walking long distances to fetch water for household and daily needs, and this is a primary reason for falling female attendance rates in schools. Moreover, menstrual hygiene is also severely affected as poor sanitation makes it difficult to cope.
Improving water and sanitation in impoverished countries is vital work, and four organizations have performed pioneering feats over the years to address these problems. The initiatives of these groups continue to bring about opportunities for girls including entrepreneurship and sustainability programs in local communities.
- World Toilet Organization (WTO): Founded in 2001 by Jack Sim and headquartered in Singapore, this organization regards its Sanishop ecosystem as its crowning jewel. WTO’s vision is to eradicate open defecation. The SaniShop developments are having a profound impact in India, Africa and Cambodia, with the successful training of 500 local entrepreneurs and the building of more than 11,000 latrines. Locals are trained in constructing good-quality toilets with cheap but durable materials. Their new ‘Wetlands work’ is improving the attendance rate for girls in Cambodia.
Jack Sim was honored at the recent inaugural Novus Summit, an event held in conjunction with the U.N High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. The event aims to connect humanitarians and innovators so that they can collaboratively support the U.N’s sustainable development goals. - World Vision: Among water and sanitation organizations, its noteworthy work in the field of sanitation and the provision of clean water is renowned. World Vision’s Effective Community Engagement Model largely accounts for their 2.37 million-strong global outreach across 100 countries. As a result, open defecation rates decreased in 1,496 communities.
Subway recently confirmed a USD$125,000 collaboration with World Vision through the sale of Dasani water bottles. World Vision aspires to channel these funds towards constructing a solar-powered water system in Kenya. - WaterAid: This water and sanitation organization has developed a presence in 37 countries, reaching millions annually. Its focus is the provision of taps and toilets, and information on sanitation and hygiene. WaterAid has played a pivotal role in the U.N. Global Goals for Sustainable Development. Its methodology involves collaborative technology design with local partners to develop sustainable solutions.
The creation of Gravity-fed schemes, hand pumps, community-managed latrines and wells are some significant examples. Technology of this nature will help improve sanitation and the quality of drinking water. Communities will also develop self-sufficiency. - Blood:Water: With a decade of experience in HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention, and sanitation projects in Africa, this organization has reached thousands of donors, people and patients. Its approach encompasses equipping and training local churches and leaders in mobilizing their communities, who in turn spread awareness and spearhead initiatives. Its financial support of local partner Moucecore led to the construction of rainwater catchment tanks across Rwanda.
Effective sanitation ensures the inclusion of every individual in the society. Rid of water-borne diseases and other debilitating risks, communities can take hold of real opportunities and begin to thrive. This kind of future is a vision shared by water and sanitation organizations like these.
– Shivani Ekkanath
Photo: Flickr