Clean Water and Sanitation Saves Lives

In Zambia, life expectancy is just 38 years.

In rural areas 182 in every 1000 children die before their 5th birthday (WHO 2008).

Approximately one half of the population of the developing world is

infected with intestinal worms (found in

contaminated water, and areas with poor hygiene

practice). These parasites can lead to malnutrition, anaemia, and retarded growth and cognitive abilities (Chan, 1997).

One of the two biggest killers of children in Zambia is diarrhoea.

Village Water carries out sustainable water and sanitation projects in

isolated, rural communities in Zambia. Currently operating in the Western

Province, we have helped over 75,000 people since we started in 2004.

Operational Area

Village Water field workers in Mongu District

Pan-African Award Recognition 2010

In November 2010 The achievements of Village Water Zambia were recognised by the prestigious pan-African AMCOW AfricaSan Awards.

We were selected as Runner Up in the Public Service Award category. The awards are dedicated to recognising outstanding efforts and achievements in sanitation and hygiene in Africa which result in large-scale, sustainable behaviour changes and tangible impacts. In particular the Public Service Award category honours institutions or individuals whose roles in public service have had significant impact on large-scale improvements in sanitation and hygiene.

The awards initiative is organized by the African Ministers’ Council on Water in collaboration with many organisations including UN Water Africa, and WaterAid.

Village Water starts work in a village by helping to set up a Water and Sanitation Committee. Elected by the community, they take ownership of the project, and

organise both financial and labour contributions by the community. The Committee is always at least 50%

women, recognising their role in water collection, and supporting gender equality.

Using stories, dance, pictures, music and humour, field workers educate the villagers in good hygiene practice.

Villagers are taught how to construct toilets, with hand washing facilities, from local materials…

…as well as pot racks, pestle and mortar stands and bath shelters.

Once the community has installed sufficient sanitation, a well is dug and a sealed hand-operated pump is

installed. Villagers are trained to maintain the pump.

Providing integrated water, sanitation and hygiene to communities reduces the number of deaths caused by

diarrhoeal diseases by 65% (WHO).

Clean water has a dramatic effect on the incidence of life-threatening water- related diseases in a

community.

Nandusu Village Statistics, collected from the local Rural Health Centre

The year before Village Water helped

The year Village Water provided help

The year after Village Water provided help

Skin Disease 40 12 0Diarrhoea 42 10 2Eye Disease 26 2 0Malaria 20 4 1Worm Infection 30 4 0

• Investment in water supply yields an average economic return of £4.40 to £1.

• Investment in sanitation yields an average economic return of £9.10 to £1.

• Human Development is more closely linked to access to water and sanitation than other development drivers, including spending on health or education, and access to energy services (UNDP).

As well as saving lives, clean water and sanitation are the starting blocks to further development in a village:

Extra water enables larger quantities of crops to be grown; preventing malnutrition, and providing a source

of income.

A local source of clean water means children have the time and health to go to school.

Local, constant water enables people, and clothes, to be washed regularly, preventing disease and improving

mental and physical wellbeing.

Once the water and sanitation have improved, further development can occur in a community. Nalitongo

Village built a community school and persuaded the Government to provide a teacher.

The community may save up funds and start a business, such as a hammer mill facility for neighbouring

communities, as was done in Zeko Village.

The people we work with are truly grateful for the help of Village Water

and our donors, thank you.