A math project for Cameroon kids that saves lives

By teaching the students the importance of Math (and of course clean water!), our dedicated teacher, Maureen, is showing the students and their families that they can improve their water quality through basic mathematics.

By laying the groundwork for desperately needed new water treatment and distribution facilities that can save lives and help communities grow, it may also help avoid the problems that lead to the mis-sizing and poor design of the original facilities by inspiring new generations of engineers. 

As a solution to helping children drink uncontaminated water, we have introduced a home-based water treatment solution called SOLAR WATER DISINFECTION = SODIS.

Selected to participate were 10 schools located in villages where people are drinking contaminated water during the dry season. These communities were pointed out in a former report written by one of our dedicated volunteers.

The schools selected to participate were: GS Kose Enyoh, GS Angie, GS Ashong, GS Wumungong, GS Bengang of course, GS Oshum and GS Anong.

The methodology for explaining the SODIS method was:
1. Present it to all the head teachers of government primary schools in the Batibo subdivision.

2. Present it to the teachers in the schools and hand out a detailed explanation of the methodology

3. Discuss water borne diseases to the school children of the primary school, sometimes even to the nursery kids to teach them the importance of safe, clean water.

4. Present the SODIS method as a solution to such water borne diseases

5. Demonstrate the method's four steps:

1. Washing the bottle well the first time you use it
2. Filling the bottle with water and close the lid well
3. Exposing the bottles to the sun morning to evening for at least six hours
4. Consuming the clean water

6. Set up an A0 chart presenting the 4 steps of the SODIS method

7. If possible, set up an area for placing the bottles

8. However, it is crucial that the SODIS method is encouraged both by CAMAAY and by the teachers. By encouraging it, we increase the chances that this method will be used on the long run, ensuring that everyone has access to safe, clean water. We shall continue both the flow measurement and SODIS method to some other schools in the upcoming months. This project can not only save lives by laying the groundwork for desperately needed new water treatment and distribution facilities, but may help avoid the problems that lead to the mis-sizing and poor design of the original facilities by inspiring new generations of engineers.

Links:

• SODIS Method