The impact of repeated or persistent diarrhoea on nutrition and the effect of malnutrition on susceptibility to infectious diarrhoea can be linked in a vicious cycle amongst children, especially in developing countries. This cycle includes school absenteeism which has long term consequences for educational performance, outcome and productivity. According to UN Human Development Report, 443 million school days are lost each year from water-related illnesses.
Water School’s strategic approach to this project is to target children through their schools. Children are the most vulnerable to waterborne diseases because they have immature immune systems and are generally overlooked when it comes to disseminating information or training of proper sanitation practices. Because children spend long hours in schools, the school environment partly determines their health and well–being by providing a healthy or unhealthy environment. Compared to adults, children are often more receptive to new ideas and can more easily change their behavior and/or develop new long-term behaviors as a result of increased knowledge and facilitated practices. Teachers as influential individuals, play an important role in the lives of children who in turn become agents of change within their families and communities. Children are future role models and parents. What they learn at school is likely to be passed on to their peers, their families and eventually to their own children.
In 2009/2010, a study was conducted in Kisoro, Uganda, to measure the impact of a Water School program of teaching and training at the community and the primary school level.
Three schools in three different communities were studied. The 3 communities were introduced to the Water School program in April 2009 with regular training programs and certification of community peer promoters over the following year.
With the help of the Department of Education and the Department of Health of Kisoro district, statistics were provided for all selected schools and community clinics:
Rwanashenyi Primary School
Total School Population: 600 Total Community Population: 31,563
Total School Population: 450 Total Community Population: 13,016
Total School Population: 430 Total Community Population: 16,302
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