Safe Water Education
Education is at the core of a sustainable program
People who have been educated on the importance of safe water do
not willingly drink contaminated water--much less give it to their
children. Here is how education plays a key role in our Clean Water
Initiative.
- Our Field Directors conduct an intensive training with a small
cadre of local people who become Safe Water Advocates. They then
fan out into rural villages, where water is often accessed from
contaminated ponds.
- Villagers are taught that unsafe water can make them and their
family sick. They are also introduced to ceramic water filters,
which can eliminate the waterborne bacteria that cause
disease.
- A free ceramic water filter training class must be taken by
villagers in order to obtain a filter. Correct filter use is
demonstrated. Educational materials such as locally produced cartoons,
videos and public service announcements on television help get
the message across.
- A test is administered on the essentials of correct usage. Once
knowledge of correct use is demonstrated, the villager passes the
course and is awarded a certificate.
- The certificate may be exchanged for a brand new filter.
- Safe Water Advocates continue to monitor villagers over time,
ensuring proper use of the ceramic water filter.
See the fun, informative education
materials