Bringing Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Education to Schools and Communities in Need

Lotika S. PaintalJan 10, 2009

What Is the Problem… 1.1 billion people lack access to clean water1,2

>1/6 of the world population

2.6 billion people lack access to sanitation facilities1

>40%of the world population

4.0 billion cases of diarrhea per year1

- 3rd highest cause of morbidity3

1.8 million people die annually from water-borne diseases1

- Approximately 90% are children under five1

1 World Health Organization

2 “Clean” water is a term used to identify water from an “improved” source, including protected wells, boreholes and piped connections. This water is not necessarily potable or “safe”, which requires testing to assure quality that meets WHO standards.

3 “Household water management: refining the dominant paradigm” Clasen and Cairncross, Tropical Medicine and International Health. February 2004 p. 187

Ah … Finally to Quench My Thirst…delicious!

My Experience• Devoted most of my working career to international

development. Lived in India, Europe, US and worked

extensively with Africa and South Asia. • Spent last few years understanding water related issues in the

developing world with the Clinton Foundation and more recently with World Education – built up a large network and a resource base

• Convinced that there is a more systematic way to achieve sustainable change

Vision of Water Centric (WC)Our 10 year goal: to have served 15,000 schools and over 3

Million Children

• Provide an exponentially increasing number of disenfranchised schools with water, sanitation and hygiene education

• Enhance the experience and retention of young people (especially girls) in schools

• Empower children with health, dignity and pride in their environment

• Pass on learning to the surrounding communities and in time to future generations

Number of schools with functioning water and sanitation facilities is shockingly low - less than 50% in the developing world

One-third of the population in South Asia and Africa is of school age

Better attendance, enrollment and performance has been seen especially for girls

Children are particularly vulnerable to water-borne diseases

Addresses long-term need to change behavior of future generations

Positive ripple effects to the community – as schools are often at the core

Why we Focus on Schools?

Creating the Demand for Hygiene When It Is Not Initially There:

From ‘Flying Toilets’ to This in a Kibera Slum School in Nairobi, Kenya

Or creating the Demand for Hygiene When It Is Not Worth Using…

Providing access to clean water, sanitation facilities and hygiene education has been shown to reduce diarrheal episodes dramatically1

Why we Focus on Hygiene?

Reduction in diarrheal diseases morbidity

1 “Water for Life — Making it Happen” UNICEF and WHO, 2005 p. 13

Bringing Hygiene Education to the schools

• So, why did I set up my own entity?– To take advantage of my experiences, connections,

networks and the new research and learning – rather than the usual ‘silo’ approach or being funder driven

• What I have learned from the process?– Humbled and surprised by how many people are willing

to do so much –volunteers who rock!– Steep learning curve – challenges every day not related

to mission (forms, legalities, international issues)– Ability to be nimble– That I love what I do and get immense satisfaction!

Why be a Social Entrepreneur?

• At the forefront of addressing some of the most challenging issues of our time

• Help make life for a large number of disenfranchised people a little easier

• Make a living while leading a meaningful life!

If you’d like to stay in touch:

Water Centric Website:

http://www.watercentric.org

My E-mail:

Lotika@watercentric.org

Telephone: 781-367-8950

How you can help…

• Outreach– Spread the word

– Start a club in your school that can raise funds to sponsor one of our schools

• Using your skills and interest– Increase our internet presence (blogs, facebook, etc)– Assist with newsletter, brochures, posters – Website-development– Event planning & follow-up – Grant writing, research of foundations/major donors

*Help support a school or kids!*

Thank you!