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SSDO, WaterAid Nigeria Organizes Environmental Health Club Training

South Saharan Social Development Organization, in partnership with WaterAid Nigeria, organized a 6-day environmental health club training to strengthen the capacity of sixty teachers from thirty schools on Hygiene Behavioral Change campaign intervention package under the Hygiene Behavioral Change Coalition Phase II project in Enugu State.

This training equipped the teachers to form environmental health clubs in their different schools to promote good hygiene among students and teachers. The training was facilitated by Water and Sanitation Hygiene consultants Dr Ifeoma Chukwuma, Dr Umoh Boniface and Mrs Jessica Ezeime.

The training covered topics such as hygiene promotion for children, disease transmission routes, food hygiene, menstrual hygiene management, safe water chain, sanitation and waste management, and establishment of environmental health clubs, amongst other topics.

Participants at the training include teachers, students, school-based management committee members, and representatives from the Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board. Participants were better equipped to manage their hygiene, learn new behavioral habits, and be change agents.

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SSDO, WaterAid Nigeria Launches African Sanitation Policy Guidelines Project

South Saharan Social Development Organization, in partnership with WaterAid Nigeria, will implement the African Sanitation Policy Guidelines (ASPG) Project in Enugu state. The project aims to scale up sanitation at the state level and accelerate progress towards achieving safely managed sanitation and Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation for all).

The project will focus on improving sanitation and hygiene practices through policies, advocacy, and collaboration with other stakeholders. Prior to the launch, the project lead, Udochukwu Egwim, conducted advocacy visits to stakeholders to brief them about the project’s goals for the sanitation sector and get their buy-in. 

The project was officially launched on the 23rd of March, 2023 and offered a unique opportunity to enlighten stakeholders, raise media awareness, and iterate a suitable implementation strategy across the state.

Stakeholders and dignitaries present include the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Emmanuel Obi, Commissioner for Rural Development, Dr. Kingsley Udeh, Special Adviser to the Enugu State Governor on Water Resources, Hon. Dubem Onyia, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Environment, The STU Coordinator, representatives of ENRUWASSA, civil society organizations, the media among others.

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SSDO, WaterAid Nigeria Commemorates World Water Day 2023

Enugu’s topography posits a perennial water scarcity challenge. This has led to a drastic water price hike, affecting residents’ daily lives. This scarcity affects the return of farmers, causes women and girls to walk long distance, and affect children’s education. 

About half of the state’s residents lack access to basic water services. This poor access increases poverty, poor health, and stunted growth for children. We call on stakeholders to accelerate change to solve the water and sanitation crisis.

This scarcity results in inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene practices. People hence result to open defecation and recycling dirty water. Using this contaminated water increases the risks of cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, and typhoid. 

As we commemorate #WorldWaterDay, under the theme, “Accelerating the change to solve the water and sanitation crisis,” we draw the attention of stakeholders and the government to the perennial water scarcity Enugu residents face.

Understanding this challenge, South Saharan Social Development Organization, in partnership with WaterAid Nigeria, Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB), Small Town Unit-Ministry of Water Resources, and Igboeze North LGA WASH Unit, commemorated World Water Day in Igbo-Eze North LGA through a community stakeholder engagement.

The event aimed to trigger schools and community members on the effects of Open Defecation and raise awareness on hygiene through the Hygiene Behavioral Change exercises. Dignitaries present include commissioners from different ministries, council chairs, traditional rulers, president generals, and community and women leaders. Going forward, this sensitization engagement will help eliminate open defecation and improve the personal hygiene of the community members. 

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Empowering the Child Through Child Sponsorship Mechanism

Research shows that over 90 million Nigerians live below the poverty line. A good percentage live in rural and marginalized communities. These communities are characterized by poor access to healthcare and education, lack of infrastructure, and low-income level. This affects their standard of living and quality of life, of which kids are the biggest victims.

Understanding this reality, South Saharan Social Development Organization, in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria through the Local Rights Programme, is doing its part to improve education in marginalized communities.

The program aims to reduce poverty by increasing its engagement with the poor and marginalized in selected communities through its Child Sponsorship mechanisms. The child sponsorship initiative identifies vulnerable children aged 3 to 8 years and attaches them to sponsors.

Over the past collection period, the team collected 403 child messages across eight communities (Ihenyi, Amagu, Ameke, Oduma Achara, Abor Isiala, Orokoro, Igga, Nkume). Our motivation is to see the children and the communities at large be all that they can be.

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SSDO, WaterAid Nigeria Unveils WASH Harmonization Plan

The success of any project is hinged on the ability of the stakeholders to liaise effectively to deliver cross-cutting solutions that will ultimately improve the lives of beneficiaries.

Understanding the importance of partnership to the growth of the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector in Enugu state, South Saharan Social Development Organization, in partnership with WaterAid Nigeria, organized a WASH sector stakeholder engagement in collaboration with the Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN) Enugu State chapter, and Small Town Unit (STU) –Ministry of Water Resources.

The meeting’s objective was to remove sectional barriers in WASH-related interventions across the state and to harmonize and improve the dissemination of WASH activities across partners. Participants at the event include civil society organizations, government agencies, and media agencies.

The key outcome of the event was the development and endorsement of the group’s action plans which centered on the following:

Going forward, the group hopes to conduct advocacy visits to the incoming government and improve its joint efforts to consolidate progress in the WASH sector. Ultimately improving access to water and sanitation facilities in the state.