WASH in Schools
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When challenging weather conditions such as destructive flooding and powerful storms contaminate surface and ground water, families are forced to drink unclear water, which sickens children and hurts communities. Without proper sanitation and medical treatment, waterborne illnesses such as intestinal worms can devastate a community. Children readily spread the parasites to each other, and the toll from missing school for weeks or even months causes long-term damage to the outcomes of whole villages. East Meets West’s WASH in Schools program installs water filtration systems and handwashing basins and latrines for kindergartens, primary schools and secondary schools in rural and mountainous areas where daily living conditions of pupils and teachers are very difficult. The program also aims to raise awareness for school hygiene, conducting a behavior change campaign promoting handwashing. Each water purification system we install delivers drinking water for 400 to 850 students using well-established reverse osmosis and ultraviolet (UV) technologies. As part of the installation of handwashing facilities, we also work with local departments of education to teach students about environmental cleanliness and personal hygiene.
