The UN states that in 2002, 42 per cent of households had no toilets, and one in six people had no access to safe water. Over 90 per cent of deaths from diarrheal diseases due to unsafe water and sanitation in the developing world occur in children below 5 years old. The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that 1.8 million people die every year from diarrheal diseases – diseases transmitted through contaminated water and poor hygiene practices. The sad reality is that children are the most vulnerable and common victims – every day more than 4,500 children die from a diarrheal disease.
I had the opportunity to spend six months in Niger from September 2007- March 2008 working towards improving access to safe water and developing positive hygiene practices with the people of Niger. I participated in the Canadian International Development Agency/Samaritan’s Purse Water for Life Internship Program. I set off with another Canadian, Trudy Naugler, for one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world (Niger is 177 out of 177 countries on the UN’s Human Development Index) to be a part of the household water filtration project. The people of Niger gained their first source of clean, potable water but I gained equally, if not more from my experience and from the people of Niger I encountered.
During our time in Niger we worked in two villages: Firgoune and Koutougou. Both of these villages are located on islands in the Niger River. In each village we worked alongside a Nigerien Water Technician and Assistant Water Technician. We were able to participate in the construction and installation of 100 BioSand water filters in each village. One water filter provides enough clean water for one household. The people of Firgoune and Koutougou have no wells in their villages. This leaves them with the contaminated river water as their only source of water for drinking, bathing and cooking.
As a result of bathing in and ingesting the river water, many people in the villages were sick with diarrheal disease. The BioSand water filter became the first opportunity to access safe, clean drinking water. With the help of their filters, the people of Firgoune and Koutougou are able to remove 99% of harmful disease causing pathogens. The people of Firgoune and Koutougou are not alone in their lack of access to clean water. The world over, 1.1 billion people share this existence.
While we were there we also got to work with some of the young women in both villages. We developed a children’s health and hygiene education program. We met in the schools in both villages with all the girls between the ages of 10-15. The young women in the communities are responsible for much of the cooking as well as looking after all the younger siblings (there is often up to 10 children in a family!).
The young girls and the women were shining examples of real women on the run. Their days were spent working: harvesting millet, working in the rice fields, processing grains into flour, cooking, cleaning, carrying water from the river to their homes and looking after young children. They are most often seen multi-tasking, taking on a combination of jobs at once while carrying a baby strapped to their back. I rarely saw women resting and the girls as young as 9 or 10 were put to work.
During our health and hygiene classes we were able to share some knowledge about germs, health, hand washing, food safety, personal hygiene and sanitation. As a result of clean water the villages of Firgoune and Koutougou are seeing a decrease in sickness, skin problems and diarrheal disease, which has also increased the attendance of children in school.
If you would like to know more about the Samaritan’s Purse BioSand water filter projects or if you would like to donate to the project please visit www.turnonthetap.ca. The cost of a filter which provides clean, safe water for a houseshold is $100.
“Water and Sanitation is one of the primary drivers of public health…. once we can secure access to clean water and to adequate sanitation facilities for all people, irrespective of the difference in their living conditions, a huge battle against all kinds of diseases will be won.” - Dr Lee Jong-wook, Director-General, WHO
What inspires you? Authentic transparent people who are doing what they love.
Your Dream Job? Many! Professional baby holder, travel photographer, professional tri-athlete and working internationally in community health and development.
Your daily moment of joy? Breakfast and coffee!
Favorite article of clothing in your closet right now? A great pair of jeans I found at a little consignment store.
Favorite way to relax? One of many forms of exercise: running, biking, climbing and swimming are my favorites. Road-trips, going to the lake, spending time outside and hanging out with family and friends.
Diamonds or pearls? Neither. My sisters make fun of me for one day wanting an engagement kayak.
Who is the ultimate RWotR that you know? The young girls and women I met in Niger!
Biggest lightbulb moment? Joy and satisfaction in life comes through relationships.
How do you stay healthy? Sleep well, eat well, enjoy satisfying relationships and exercise.
What will you be doing this July and August? Working for a lab called Quantum Genetics during the weekdays and trying to be outside as much as possible in the evenings and on the weekends.
Favorite book of all time? “The Urban Halo” by Craig Greenfield
Favorite quote? Right now it is: “Remember what I said about finding a meaningful life? I wrote it down, but now I can recite it: “Devote yourself to loving others devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.” - From “Tuesdays with Morrie” by Mitch Albom
Short term goal? Finish the triathlon I am in this weekend.
Long term goal? To work overseas in community health and health education.
~ Article submitted by Hayley Turnbull, July 2008 (Update: Hayley has since been accepted into med school at the U of A and will graduate in 2014 – Big Congratulations! I’m certain you will find her advocating for the health of women, girls and families worldwide, sometime in the not-so-distant future…)
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