Blog | World Vision International

Wednesday, August 2, 2017 - 16:47 by Kristie Urich

Scaling-up sanitation coverage in Ghana

By Robel Lambisso, West Africa Regional WASH Technical Advisor & GI-WASH Team, World Vision Ghana

Since the early 1990s, Ghana’s water and sanitation sector has seen major reforms to address weaknesses. Appropriate institutional, legal and regulatory structures have been put in place, particularly for the urban and rural water supply system.

While the country enjoys a marked success in achieving 89% access to safe water, the same cannot be...

Periods: they don't need to be a pain

Do you remember the first time you went to school with your period? I do. At my school in country Victoria only one toilet in the far end of the bathroom had a bin to dispose of sanitary products. Worried that the other girls would notice I was visiting that particular toilet and guess I had my period, I tried to sneak inconspicuously as not to raise suspicion. Convinced that I was the only one who had started menstruating, I did my best to keep it a secret.

Shame...

Pneumonia and Diarrhoea: the Biggest Killers for Children

According to the World Health Organization, almost 6 million children under the age of 5 died in 2015: about 11 children every minute. Devastatingly, over half of those deaths are common childhood illnesses that are completely preventable. While these numbers are lower than they once were, they are still unacceptably high. So what is preventing the global community from accelerating progress towards reducing childhood mortality?

Interconnected...

Can WASH promote happiness?

Monday, 20 March marks the International Happiness Day. What an absolutely wonderful idea indeed to spread more happiness around also in our schools, health care facilities, refugee camps and other WASH away from home settings!

By Marielle Snel, WASH Technical Advisor, Middle East/Eastern Europe Region

UNIVERSAL WATER, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) coverage...

Becoming a Mighty River

Some of the world’s major rivers have very humble beginnings. The Zambezi River begins from a bubbling stream. A glacial stream is the furthest source of the Amazon River. From these humble beginnings, however, these waters join into other water sources and tributaries to become mighty rivers strong enough to make rough rocks smooth and cut deep canyons into the earth.

World Vision’s work in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) can...

Menstrual hygiene rights are human rights. Period.

Sitting in class like most other days, Suad suddenly turns to her classmate in wide eyed amazement. Stifling a giggle, she feels a sense of shocked astonishment about the subject of today’s lesson. While maths is usually the topic of Tuesday morning’s class, today they are discussing menstrual hygiene management and reproductive health.

In Somalia, much like in Australia, menstruation is a taboo topic. In Somalia though, menstruation is considered to be unclean and...

A better recipe for child health and nutrition

By Esther Indriani, MPH (Regional Health and Nutrition Advisor for World Vision South Asia and Pacific)

It is estimated that 50% of the health burden of malnutrition is attributable to the environment, and in particular to poor water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)...

World Water Week: A water point that’s causing so much amusement!

In June I visited Kass IDP camp in the South Darfur region. As I made my way into the camp through the narrow pathways, the scenes of the sprawling IDP settlements gripped me.

I eventually arrived to my destination, where World Vision has installed a clean water supply system with funding from the Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA). I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was pure fanfare around the water point!...

Joseph the Dairy Farmer

By Greg Allgood, Vice President, WVUS

On a recent trip to Zambia, I witnessed World Vision’s work to lift people out of poverty through a comprehensive community development effort. I was in the Magoye area of the Mazabuka District where World Vision has provided clean water sources of protected wells and boreholes.

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Have you ever been hit in the head by a sanitary pad?

By Shelby Stapleton, Field Partnerships Advisor - WV Australia

I have. Late last year, one Friday afternoon, as part of a personal “training drill” in the World Vision Australia office, I initiated a food-fight style, sanitary-pad “fight” around the office. To my complete surprise, my male colleagues embraced the opportunity to participate, learn and openly discuss the problems that face many girls in World Vision’s programmes daily (and of course, ensured...