Teaching the importance of good hygiene

 

The residents of Seguedin village can now enjoy better health as a result of having access to safe water and sanitation.  WaterAid and its local partner have rehabilitated 15 wells and built 101 latrines.  They are also teaching villagers about the importance of proper hygiene.

Before the latrines were built, people would defecate in the bushes.  The pigs would often trample the feces back into the village and into people’s homes.  This led to spreading diseases in the village.

Things have changed after the construction of the latrines and the rehabilitation of the wells.  The villagers received training on how to maintain the wells and keep them clean.  They were also taught to keep the area around the wells clean.

Water and latrines are a lifebelt for us because they bring us health. And health means that there are improvements in every single aspect of our lives.

The community learnt hygiene practices such as covering water containers in the home to prevent dirt from falling in.

They now keep soap next to the latrines and wash their hands afterwards.

Yalgabamba Ouédraogo, who is a father of ten, is a hygienist in the village.  He served in World War II as a mine layer in Mauritania, having trained in Senegal.

Yalgabamba enjoys his work as the village hygienist.  He was trained by WaterAid and its partner and has been doing this work for two years.  He recognizes the importance of hygiene education for his community.

He notes, “I have seen lots of changes in the health of the children.  Before the water was unclean – you could see little worms in it.  Before we had lots of illnesses like cholera.  Now we see what drinking safe water give us – protection.

“Every day our health gets better.  It continues to improve because we have cleanliness.  Now we are healthy we are strong. We can work harder.  And we also spend a lot less on medicine.

“Water and latrines are a lifebelt for us because they bring us health.  And health means that there are improvements in every single aspect of our lives.”