Safe Water Programming Expands in Tanzania

By Shakira Nasser, AKP Tanzania Coordinator

TANZANIA | In May 2019, AKP in the spirit of continued partnership with LifeStraw, through our Safe Water for Schools Initiative, distributed a total of 106 filters to 15 schools in Arusha, Tarangire and Ngorongoro. The total number of students and teachers benefiting from this distribution is 10,265. And additionally, a filter was also distributed to a health center in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area namely Makao Mapya Health Center, which treats on average 1,000 patients a day!

These areas, are very often and highly affected by water borne diseases. So much so, that in the first quarter of 2019, NCAA (Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority) conducted a research study which identified the key problem in the area are water borne diseases. This knowledge came in the right time for AKP with its aim to provide safe water to communities living on the edge of wilderness, by directly targeting schools in these areas, providing them with access to safe water and also education on health, sanitation, and hygiene practices

LifeStraw filters have proven their efficiency in aiding to prevent water borne diseases in these areas, for these filters have been tested globally and identified to remove 99.99% of all bacteria and viruses from water.

With great support and collaboration from NCAA and LifeStraw, this distribution was carried out successfully, with great appreciation from the benefiters. In every location/school where these filters were distributed, the passionate enthusiasm could not be missed! The understanding of importance of safe water was now of high importance! It was a joyous experience for all involved (AKP, LifeStraw, NCAA, students and teachers, government officials).

It is with great pleasure that the government and school officials accepted these filters and the responsibility to maintain them as well as promote safe water, sanitation and hygiene practices. We are also thrilled to announce that we are planning to expand our Safe Water for Schools Initiative in Fall 2019 – stay tuned for more clean water access in the Ngorongoro crater region!