Many isolated rural villages in South Sudan still do not have access to clean water. Water for South Sudan (WFSS) will drill a well in a rural village in South Sudan providing clean water to approximately 750 people. In addition, WFSS will teach villagers how to maintain personal hygiene and how to prevent contamination of the well.
The challenges faced by the community are both lack of access to fresh water in their village and lack of knowledge about keeping their water safe. While all members of the community are affected, women and children are especially impacted. Women and girls collect water when clean water is not available in the village. Girls cannot attend school. Women can't earn income. Children under the age of five suffer and often die from water-borne disease as a result of drinking contaminated water.
This project will solve both problems by drilling a well in an isolated village and providing education about personal hygiene as well as keeping their well water clean. In 2014, Water for South Sudan began hygiene training in every village where we drill a well. In rural villages people have never learned the importance of washing hands to prevent spread of disease, brushing teeth and clipping nails to maintain good health, or cleaning their jerry cans to keep contamination from the well.
Long-term effects may include economic self-sufficiency, gender equality, education, and healthier lives for 750 villagers. When a village has access to safe water the community can thrive - markets, schools, and clinics may spring up. Young girls no longer have to walk for water and they can attend school. When they have knowledge and supplies for caring for themselves during menstruation they can stay in school. Women can work to earn income. Children no longer die from diarrheal disease.
