Helping families like the Kumoyos

425 people told us their story in 2017 and each one is different…

I have lived in this village for 38 years and we have been defecating in the bush. Everyone has been getting sick of diarrhoea and this led to an increase in premature death. We are thankful for the intervention and training from Village Water and now understand the effects of open defecation. From today onwards we shall build toilets and ensure that each household has proper health facilities…

Hygiene and Sanitation

After our support communities understand the importance of good hygiene practices and continue using facilities long after a project is completed.

2017 Households

77% have a handwashing device
89% have a latrine

2017 Communities

94% have a water committee
66% have started a maintenance fund

Each community sets up a water committee to ensure ownership. The committees oversee the changes, learn basic pump repair and start a maintenance fund.

46% men in committees

54% women in committees

13,467 people have a better understanding of menstruation

Before the training I used to tell the teacher I don’t feel well and go home to bathe. I’d miss lessons, maybe even for two days. My concentration in class was poor because I was worried about my period. Now, after the training, I can ask the teacher to bathe in the school bath shelter and I can continue learning. I am very happy for the programme

As well as monitoring the health benefits of our work we monitor pump functionality. A look back study from 2004-2017 showed:

94% of our pumps are working

58 strokes to fill a 20L container

3 strokes to produce water

*these are performing far better than the average in Sub-Saharan of 30% of pumps are non functioning and the government set standards of under 70 strokes to fill a 20L container and under 10 strokes to produce water.

2015 – 2017

118 villages in study

• 83% decrease in cases of diarrhoea
• 84% decrease in eye infection
• 84% decrease in girls’ school absenteeism
• 92% of communities have an active water committee
• 65% of communities have a maintenance fund
• 21 metres average well depth

We are so happy to have a water pump, now we drink and cook with clean water. We bathe more often and wash our clothes. We no longer walk long distances so we don’t get very tired like we used to. We are more healthy and our children don’t miss school. –

Muleya Pumulo

Mozambique

In 2016, 4,208 people gained access to safe water and sanitation in Mozambique. In 2017 we continued working with these people to ensure they have all they need to allow them to enjoy a healthier life!

Ever wondered what it’s really like to volunteer abroad? Beth tells us about her experience….. read more…

Mozambique Statistics

• 97% reduction in diarrhoea
• 83% reduction in scabies
• 78% reduction in eye infection
• 80% of households now have a latrine
• 100% have some form of handwashing device