Water and sanitation project gives Duem better health

In the past, a person living in Huay-Chanh village relied upon nature, especially by using water from the river.

They walked1km carrying water, morning and evening, every day, for every household. During the raining reason it was even more trouble because the water was unclean but the villagers had to use the water for drinking and cooking. They had no choice.

Duem, 5, grade 1, lives in Vieng Kham district with his parent and five siblings. Mr. Phong, the 49-year-old father of Duem, said that his family used to have many difficulties collecting water because his children were too small so they could not help.

He traded-off the responsibility with his wife, fetching water for the family.

Even after a long day working on the farm, they still had to walk the 1km each way, sometimes arrivinghome with the water just as it was getting dark.

“I lost three children because of the sickness, the first son died when he was 11-years-old because of malaria, the second died at one-and-half months, the third child died at one-month both of them suffering with diarrhea. I was very sad that I lost my children,” says Duem’s father, “We did not know that diseases came from the unclean water, we did not boil it before drinking.”

When World Vision arrived in Duem’s village, they began conducting health awareness campaigns on hygiene and sanitation; they also provided vaccinations to many of the villagers. The health awareness campaign taught villagers about keeping their water supply separate from everything else, including keeping their animals in enclosed areas, keeping a clean environment in their house, and going to the hospital when they are sick.

World Vision also created a village fund for families who are facing health emergencies. The village medicine fund (called the medicine stork) allows families to buy basic medicine when they are not feeling well, on loan if they do not have the money available at the time.

World Vision constructed 9 water points in their village too, providing instruction on how to protect the pump and keep it clean.

“I am very happy that we have water pump near our house,” says Duem, smiling.

“We are so happy that it is easier for our family. We are not worried about carrying the water anymore after return late from the farm and our children can help since the water pump is near our house,” says Duem’s father. “My children are healthier than before,” he adds.

Local teacher ThongKham Xayavong said that before at the school, students seldom washedtheir hands or bathed because carrying water wastoo much work.But, now that they have a water pump in the school he sees the changes; the students can easily was their hands and are even bathing more!

“Now, I help my parents carry the water with a small black plastic container after school,” says Duem proudly.