Seventy percent of Tanzanians live in rural areas and are more vulnerable to waterborne and water-related diseases than people living in urban areas.
Local Issues
Residents suffer from little to zero access to:
- health education,
- clean and safe water sources,
- adequate sanitation,
- WASH products (water treatment tools, feminine hygiene products, etc.),
- quality health services, and
- employment (especially women).
In search of these basic amenities, many rural residents turn to the cities. Urban sprawl and growing slums are the result, and people chasing their dreams end up in worse health situations than those they left.
Addressing the Problem
The best way to address this problem is by improving rural livelihoods. In addition to access to improved infrastructure, female employment, and WASH products, education is the catalyst for transforming the rural regions of Tanzania. Treated water, proper sanitation and hygiene, and disease prevention are all achieved through WASH education. Interactive education gives residents a sense of ownership over their lives and their health.
With the right knowledge and resources, rural residents have the ability to create powerful, lasting behavioral change within their personal lives and their communities.