Day 13

7.5 liters of water for hand washing for a school center in Tanzania

150 clean hands for 75 healthy children 150 clean hands for 75 healthy children

7.5 liters of water for hand washing for a school center in Tanzania
Day 13
Water shortages and diseases in Tanzanian schools

What should I wash my hands with and why is it so important? This is the question 14-year-old Asina from Bukoba, Tanzania, and 8.2 million students ask themselves every day. It is usually not possible for her to wash her hands because her school has no water connection. Water cannot be taken for granted because it is not available in sufficient quantities. In addition, many people are not aware of the role that hand washing plays in preventing illness. In Germany, we use an average of 120 litres of water a day. With this amount of water, 600 children in Tanzania could wash their hands once a day. But because there is no water, the students' education suffers. They miss classes due to illnesses such as diarrhea. In addition, many girls do not go to school during their period.

Water shortages and diseases in Tanzanian schools
need
Water supply and hygiene education for primary school students in Tanzania.
activity
Rainwater tanks and handwashing facilities are being installed in primary schools. Physical education teachers are receiving hygiene training on how to implement them in schools.
Measurable performance
8 water tanks and handwashing facilities for 8 primary schools where 4,000 students wash their hands every day.
Result
Absenteeism among 4,000 students due to illness drops by 47% and graduation rates increase.
Systemically relevant impact
Higher levels of education in the region and better hygiene awareness among students, families and communities.
background

Diseases caused by poor hygiene are a major problem in Tanzania. Approximately one third of all deaths among children under 5 are caused by poor hygiene (UNICEF, 2015). Many children suffer from diarrhea or worm infections, and last year there was an increase in cholera cases in Tanzania (UNHCR, 2015). As a result, children miss school or cannot concentrate properly. This leads to their grades deteriorating and the rate of school dropouts increasing. The spread of diseases and germs can be reduced by 47% simply by washing hands with soap (UNICEF, 2015).

There are many reasons for the lack of hygiene. At the national level, four ministries alone are involved in the issue of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in schools, which leads to ineffective and lengthy implementation processes. In addition, there is a lack of funding to provide all schools with water, handwashing facilities and adequate toilets (WaterAid, 2013). This leads to a shocking figure: 86% of all schools in Tanzania have no water connection (UNICEF/WaterAid/SNV 2010).

Bukoba, Kagera
Day 13 Day 13
The good deed

Jambo Bukoba gives Asina and other children in Tanzania the chance to stay healthy and attend school regularly. Rainwater tanks are used to bring water to schools, hygiene education is provided, and handwashing facilities are built. Teachers learn playful methods to make handwashing with soap a daily routine for children. This knowledge is passed on to their families and communities.

AboutTanzania
Dodoma (Dar es Salaam seat of government)
Dodoma (Dar es Salaam seat of government)
Capital city
53 470 400
53 470 400
Population
957 USD
957 USD
Gross domestic product per capita per year
151
151
Human Development Index (Human Development Index)

At 5,895 m, Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa. In 1987, the mountain massif was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and has been a famous challenge for tourists ever since.