Save 350 children in Abuja, secure their future

In our community, 350 children were facing a serious health crisis. Without access to safe water and proper sanitation facilities, these children were forced to bathe and manage their hygiene in the local river. This exposure led to widespread schistosomiasis—a devastating parasitic disease causing painful skin lesions and blood in urine. These children deserved better, and your support made it possible.In alignment with our project monitoring and evaluation strategy, a Focus Group Discussion was conducted to assess the direct impact of our recent interventions on the children's well-being, particularly concerning skin lesions.

ACTIVITIES SO FAR

We completed critical WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) infrastructure to transform these children's lives

Clean Water Access: We installed a solar-powered borehole that now provides safe, clean drinking water to all 350 children. No longer dependent on the contaminated river, children can access fresh water whenever they need it.

Dignified Sanitation: We completely renovated the community's WASH facility, adding proper tiling and water closets. For the first time, these children have clean, private restrooms that protect their health and dignity.

Breaking the Cycle: By providing alternatives to river bathing, we're directly interrupting the transmission of schistosomiasis in this community.

This Quarter, we carried our a Focus Group Discussion to evaluate the impact of our interventions so far.

 Key Observations:

1. Reduction in Skin Lesions: A significant positive health outcome was observed. The prevalence of skin lesions among the children has reduced by 70%. This reduction is directly correlated with the introduction of the new WASH infrastructure.

2. Infrastructure Impact: The following interventions are highly effective:

   • Installation of a solar-powered borehole, providing access to clean and safe water.

   • Renovation of the existing WASH facility, improving sanitation and hygiene practices.

3. New Beneficiary Registration: The program continues to grow, indicating increasing community trust and need. 30 new entrants have joined the group of children benefitting from the program activities during this quarter 

4. Impact Summary & Next Step: The quantitative data (70% reduction in lesions) and the observed behavioral changes from the FGD strongly suggest that the WASH interventions are successfully mitigating a major health risk. The solar-powered borehole and renovated facilities are crucial in securing a healthier future for these children. The addition of 30 new children necessitates a review of resource allocation to ensure all beneficiaries continue to receive adequate support.

Links:

• Organization website