Purpose

This video illustrates the importance of having water and sanitation facilities close to the house and the efforts by the Zimbabwean Red Cross Society to improve access to water and hygiene in rural communities.

Overview

Individuals have to walk for up to three hours to get water. The water obtained is not clean and, as a result, children suffer from illnesses such as diarrhoea. Time spent gathering water and taking care of a sick child is time that cannot be spent learning to read, write or earn an income. Toilets and clean water mean less disease and less money spent on medicines.

The Zimbabwean Red Cross Society works to improve access to water, sanitation and hygiene in rural communities. They do this by providing communities with boreholes and latrines and educating them on the importance good hygiene practices, such as washing hands after using toilets and boiling water before drinking. The Red Cross also seeks to develop a culture within communities of being responsible for the continuity of facilities provided.

Usage: Guidance for project implementation, Training

Audiences: Volunteers