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 | | A woman draws water from a well in Sierra Leone (©2002 CARE/Valenda Campbell) |
CARE helps poor people gain access to adequate and reliable supplies of water for drinking, bathing, economic activity and food production. CARE also helps families build sanitary latrines and encourages healthy hygiene practices.
Water gives women time, health, income and dignity. Women and girls have more time for productive activities or school when they aren't spending hours each day hauling water. Improved health resulting from safe water means less time caring for sick family members, which typically falls to women and girls. A reliable supply of water can dramatically improve crop yields. And improved sanitation can change the whole course of a child's life: Girls often drop out of school when they reach puberty if there aren't proper, private latrines.
Case in Point: Jeneba
After delivering emergency relief during Sierra Leone's civil war, CARE helped communities rebuild when peace finally returned. Instead of simply repairing damaged wells, CARE helped form health clubs and taught classes that focused on using the new wells and latrines to prevent illness. "I like attending the health meetings because each time I go, I get a new idea," says Jeneba Dauda, a young mother.
"Through meetings, demonstrations and pictures, we have learned about the threats to our health," says town chief, Brima Sellu. "CARE has taught us so that the knowledge will remain with us even when CARE is gone."
CARE's Work
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