“We are looking forward to seeing water flow from the taps!”
Mrs MUDEGE BAZERA, 40, is a widow and the mother of 6 chidren. She lives in the village of Rukumizo, DRC, and works in the fields.
“The problems I encountered in previous years with water, hygiene and sanitation were related to the fact that I was using unhygienic equipment, for example to go get water from the spring, I would use dirty containers, without caps and I kept the water in a jerrycan without lid. I sometimes would pick up a dirty bag to cover my jerrycan and once I arrived at home, I would throw away the bag because I no longer had any use for it.
When it comes to hand washing, I did not really know when to wash my hands. I did not have a hygienic latrine in my plot, the children were defecating outside the house and that did not bother me. I did not see the link with diseases such as diarrhea, malaria, typhoid …. I thought it was normal for someone to get sick. “
How did things change?
“Things changed after a few awareness raising campaigns by Tearfund facilitators, group sessions or when they were visiting my home. I realised illnesses were a result of my family’s lack of good hygiene practices. When they showed us the pattern of disease transmission I realised that I was eating microbes! “
What has changed?
“After the various workshops I attended, I managed to build a good sanitary latrine according to the standards we were taught, it even has a handwashing device. There is no more open defecation on my plot, which remains clean as you can see, and I know how to store water so that it stays clean.
I am happy to see that Tearfund is building water points in different villages from here to Kabaya. My children and I will not have to travel long distances to get water anymore. Thank you Tearfund, we are looking forward to seeing water flow from the taps! “
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