This project will provide one of Malawi's preschools with access to safe water and hygienic toilets; increasing school attendance, improving learning and giving children on the first rung of the educational ladder the best possible start in life.
Malnutrition, which stunts growth and early development, is widespread in Malawi and water-borne diseases are the single biggest reason children miss going to school. In a country where 51% of children do not finish their primary education, maximising the impact of preschools is an absolute priority if the cycle of poverty and dependency is to be broken. This project will enhance the lives and life chances of young children as well as providing a resource for the surrounding community.
Evidence shows that access to safe water and hygienic toilets can reduce child mortality rates by up to 35% and hand-washing with soap can cut the spread of water-borne diseases by more than two thirds. This project will provide Mng'ona preschool in Malawi and the wider community with access to a safe water point, hygienic toilet facilities, a kitchen garden, intensive hygiene and sanitation training and a safe and nurturing environment for children to develop and thrive.
The earlier children have access to safe water and the sooner they learn the benefits of hygienic sanitation, the more certain they are to adopt it and to spread it among their families and friends. In its first year, this project will directly benefit a total of 813 people (145 preschool children, 298 teachers and parents and 370 siblings). Well maintained these facilities will operate for at least 20 years benefiting as many as 5,000 children overall.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
