1/3 of the world’s population lives without clean water and sanitation. Lack of clean water can lead to numerous diseases such as cholera, pneumonia, diarrhea, and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
And more than half of all primary schools in developing countries do not have adequate access to water, with nearly 2/3 lack proper sanitation. Giving kids access to clean water and teaching them about proper hygiene not only helps with health, but also helps with school attendance because healthy kids come to school ready to learn, and therefore learn more when they do come to school. Doctor Paul Hunter from University of East Anglia’s Norwich Medical School in the United Kingdom says, “Even mild dehydration in children may be associated with poor health, and previous studies have shown that keeping well-hydrated improves cognition and energy levels in children. So providing free water in schools would improve children’s general well-being and learning experience.” Next time you get a drink of water at your school, workplace, or public space, think about how your life would change if you knew this water was not safe.
Check out the awesome article about School attendance and Clean Water!
And go to http://www.unwater.org/worldwaterday to see what you can do today for World Water Day!
~Sonya Bedge