Communicable Disease Archives - Page 16 of 21

What would your life be like if you had to walk two hours each day to get water? It’s hard to even imagine but this is today’s reality for many children in Laos.

Waterborne diseases, such as diarrhoea, are the world’s second leading cause of death in children under the age of five. For communities in northern Laos, water scarcity for drinking and washing is a significant issue.

Many villages rely on local natural springs for water which may empty during the dry season and force people to walk long distances in search of water. This is especially a burden for children who are often responsible for water collection.

This is how we’re working to bring safe and clean water to children and their families in northern Laos.

How long do children have to walk to get clean water?

In the dry season, children may undertake a two-hour return trip to fetch water for their family each morning before school. Their journey is made even more treacherous if children need to walk through areas which are yet to be cleared of unexploded bombs, leftover from the Vietnam War.

For children, the risks are great and faced daily.

How we’re improving health, hygiene and nutrition with access to clean water

ChildFund Laos is currently working on an extensive water, sanitation and hygiene project in Nonghet district to improve access to safe water and sanitation, and to reduce the risks for children.

Providing water tanks to prevent long-distance walks for clean water

“Before we got a water tank, parents and children had to walk so far to get water. Having the water tank nearby is better for our children and much more convenient,” says Mr Phabia Ya, Village Chief of Korthong village. “We can now use the water to take a bath or to easily bring home for other things. This has improved our lives.”

Since June 2012, ChildFund Laos has supported the construction of seven new water tanks in seven villages in Nonghet. ChildFund has also trained local people in latrine construction so they can build household latrines to improve sanitation. Prior to installation almost 400 households were checked for unexploded ordnance.

The new water tank in Paka village is helping to make 13-year-old Xai feel safe: “I’m not afraid anymore. Before, I had to walk far away to get water and I was scared to go to get it,” she says. “Now that the water tank is close, I get to take a shower with clean water more often and use the latrine knowing there is always water.”

Educating communities about the importance of clean drinking water, hygiene and sanitation facilities

ChildFund is raising awareness of the importance of clean drinking water and improved sanitation facilities. Since June 2012, ChildFund has provided hygiene sessions for more than 4,500 community members.

We are also helping to improve the knowledge of children through our ’Green and Clean’ activities at ChildFund Child Clubs. “We have learnt the ways to wash our hands to prevent illness and disease,” says 11-year-old Yai, from Paka village.

Access to clean water has an impact on reducing poverty

In Laos, water and sanitation projects are critical. Access to safe water, adequate sanitation and proper hygiene can reduce illness and death, and can help to reduce poverty.

Want to help improve the lives of children and families who need to walk for hours to access clean water? Donate now to support our projects providing clean water, and hygiene-awareness programs..

One way to give is to donate water-based Gifts for Good to those in need:

Water tank: Give the gift of clean drinking water to a whole community by donating a water tank.
Hand washing station: Supply a hand-washing station to empower those in need with good hygiene so they can stay clean and healthy.
Water filters: Donate 2 water filters to a household to provide a family with easy access to clean water that prevents them contracting life-threatening, waterborne disease.

Appashi is an 11 year old boy from India. Despite his age he has suffered greatly in his young life. At the age of three, he lost both his parents to AIDS. Though he found shelter at his maternal uncle’s house, he soon became a victim of severe discrimination and negligence – because he too was found to be HIV-positive.

Living in India’s Karnataka state, Appashi was kept in a separate room and not allowed to mingle with his uncle’s children, who were all older than him. While they attended school, he was tasked with taking care of the cattle. While the other family members ate together, he took his meals separately in the corner of the room.

“I cannot remember when the last time I had food together with others at my uncle’s house. They often ate chicken, but I was never given any. Whenever I asked for it, I got scolded by my aunt,” says Appashi.

“I was spending my day feeding and taking care of the cattle at home. I was hardly allowed to play, not even with other children in the village. The only thing my uncle was doing for me was that he was taking me to a hospital when I was falling sick,” he recalls. “This was my life untill I came here three years ago.”

Appashi was brought to Namma Makkala Dhama, a unique rehabilitation centre for orphans and other children affected by HIV and AIDS, run by Ujwala Rural Development Service Society (URDSS) in Bhagalkot district and supported by ChildFund. Last year, the orphanage was renamed as Nammuru Dham (My Village) and was shifted to Bijapur, a small city some 500 kilometres away from Bangalore.

When Appashi came to the orphanage, he was severely malnourished and sick. The officials at the centre immediately carried out his health check-up and gave him medication including antiretroviral therapy (ART) – the standard medication used to suppress the HIV virus and stop progression of the disease.

“At the time of admission to our orphanage, he was weighing only 15 kilograms, which was much below the standard weight for a 7-year-old,” says URDSS director, Vasudev Tolabandi. We gave him special care as required by his health condition. With proper food and medication, his condition improved gradually and now he is weighing 28 kilos.”

Appashi, now in fifth grade, says he is relieved to be living in the centre and now looks forward to a better life. “I am happy that I don`t have to take care of cattle anymore. I am getting good food, including my favourite dish – chicken curry and scrambled egg,” he says. “All my friends here also like chicken and egg. I think all children should be given chicken, eggs, milk and fruits because they provide all vitamins to our body.”

“Here, I have many friends with whom I study and play together. I am lucky to be here,” Appashi says. “When I am older I want to become a police officer to punish those who commit violence against children.”

Gifts for Good

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