Tag: WaterAid

South Saharan Social Development Organization, in partnership with WaterAid Nigeria, organized a community engagement event under the Latter-Day Saints Charity Project (LDSC) III. The project’s goal is to improve access to clean water and hygienic sanitation in communities of Enugu state. 

This event marked the initiation of the Hygiene Behavioral Change (HBC) campaign, a crucial component of the larger LDSC III project. 

The campaign took place at the Community Primary School Mboshi-Aji, with active participation from various demographics within the Mboshi community. 

The community engagement event was strategically divided into two groups, fostering effective interaction and engagement. It was an avenue to teach hygiene education. 

This encompassed proper handwashing techniques, practices, and sanitation and waste management. Men, women, and children were well represented and contributed to the success of the event. 

SSDO, WaterAid Nigeria Organizes Enugu State WASH Sector Coordination Meeting

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 coordination stakeholder engagement in collaboration with the Society for Water and Sanitation (NEWSAN) Enugu State chapter, and the Enugu State Small Town Water Agency (ENSTOWA) –Ministry of Water Resources. 

The meeting’s objective was to remove sectional barriers in WASH-related interventions across the state and to promote multi-sectorial, structured, operationalized, measured, and evaluated WASH services in the state. Stakeholders present include the Commissioner for Water Resources, Dr. Felix Nnamani,  Special Adviser to the Governor on Donor Relations, Hon. Dubem Onyia, Permanent Secretary – Ministry of Water Resources, Dr. Ada Nwoye, civil society organizations, government agencies, and media agencies. 

Going forward, the group hopes to integrate the various organizational work plans into the government’s plan, identify schools lacking sanitation facilities, and provide the infrastructure. Ultimately improving access to water and sanitation facilities in the state. 

For any project to be successful, beneficiaries must be fully involved from the planning phase through implementation, and feedback gotten even after project execution. This participatory approach helps to build trust, sustainability, and real-time learning. It guarantees evidence-based decision-making and ensures better resource allocation.

Understanding the importance of a good feedback mechanism, South Saharan Social Development Organization in partnership with WaterAid Nigeria conducted a Community voices event across project communities in Enugu state. This event helped gather the perspectives, opinions, and experiences of community members on the impact of project activities, thus guaranteeing inclusion and addressing local needs.

Since the construction of the water facilities in the communities, there’s been a reduction in infectious diseases, children attend school early, and hygiene practices have improved.

A woman from Umuabor community shared, “Before the construction of the borehole, my kids and I used to trek 5km to Ibede to fetch water. This affected their education as they went late to school. They also fell ill frequently because we didn’t have the luxury to use water to clean up at critical times. But now they go to school early and their hygiene and health have improved too.”

South Saharan Social Development Organization in partnership with WaterAid Nigeria organized a community engagement event under the Latter Day Saints Charity Project (LDSC) III. The project’s goal is to improve access to clean water and hygienic sanitation in communities of Enugu state. 

This event marked the initiation of the Hygiene Behavioral Change (HBC) campaign, a crucial component of the larger LDSC III project. The campaign took place at the Community Primary School Mboshi-Aji, with active participation from various demographics within the Mboshi community. 

The community engagement event was strategically divided into two groups, fostering effective interaction and engagement. It was an avenue to teach hygiene education. This encompassed proper handwashing techniques, practices, and sanitation and waste management. Men, women, and children were well represented and contributed to the success of the event. 

World Toilet Day is recognized worldwide as a day to raise awareness about sanitation and hygiene and to advocate for an Open Defecation-Free society. This year’s theme, “Accelerate Change,” underscores the journey towards achieving SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation for everyone. 

To mark World Toilet Day 2023, South Saharan Social Development Organization (SSDO), in partnership with WaterAid Nigeria, constructed and officially launched male and female WET toilets at Community Primary School (CPS) Ukwuinyi, Igbo Eze North LGA, Enugu State. Other stakeholders that facilitated the development include Enugu State Universal Basic Education Board (ENSUBEB), Enugu State Ministry of Water Resources (STU), and Igbo Eze North LGA WASH unit.

Additionally, hygiene behavioral change exercises were conducted for pupils and teachers helping to reduce risk factors and promote healthy behaviors and practices. The pupils were taught the six critical times to wash their hands, alongside the techniques for handwashing among other things. Community stakeholders thanked the project partners for the intervention and promised to manage the facility properly. 

“I want to thank WaterAid and other partners. This project will be very beneficial to the children. It will help eliminate the dangers associated with defecating in the bush. The kids will also be able to wash their hands more frequently, thus improving their hygiene”, a community elder shared.