U.S. Government Launches Water and Sanitation Improvements
in Northern Province Schools
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Launching the School
WASH and Quality Education project.
(Photo: Chris Mahoney, USAID/Zambia)
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On behalf of the American people, U.S.
Ambassador to Zambia Donald Booth launched the School Water,
Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) project to improve water and sanitation
facilities at schools throughout Northern Province. Carried out in partnership
with the Ministries of Education and Local Government and Housing the
project will focus on construction and rehabilitation of standard sanitation
facilities and water points. WASH will also work with schools to promote
water, sanitation, and hygiene education in schools and their surrounding
communities.
Speaking at the September 23, 2009 launch,
Ambassador Booth highlighted the importance of clean water and sanitation
facilities in schools. “Schools that do not have access to safe
water and adequate sanitation cannot and do not support positive and
healthy learning environments. Clean water and adequate sanitation in
schools not only improves community health, they empower children, especially
girls, to attend classes.”
Echoing President Barack Obama’s
message that education is the currency of the 21st century, Ambassador
Booth encouraged students to take advantage of their educational opportunities
to bring about a better future for Zambia.
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Breaking ground for
a sanitation facility.
(Photo: Chris Mahoney, USAID/Zambia)
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“Education is the key that opens
doors to good jobs. Educated parents live healthier lives and plan their
families so they can adequately provide even better opportunities for
their children. Education enables you to be self-sufficient and to become
a leader in your community.”
Water and sanitation facilities in Northern
Province schools are poor, with almost 25 percent having no water supply.
The WASH project is a three-year program that will be implemented in
800 government basic schools and community schools, reaching about 240,000
students. The project will cover all 12 districts in Northern Province.
The American people, through
the United States Agency for International Development
(USAID) are providing financial and technical support for the project
in partnership with Coca Cola’s Africa Foundation.
