Better health is always a central objective of our Early Childhood Development (ECD) projects, so we’re delighted that ElectricAid has agreed to sponsor the building of latrines for one of our ECD projects in Uganda.

Poor sanitation and hygiene are major health concerns in rural Uganda. Without proper latrines, diseases like cholera, dysentery, worms and diarrhoea spread, especially among children under five years of age. According to the World Health Organization, poor sanitation leads to diarrhoeal diseases, which are responsible for up to 17% of all deaths of children under the age of five.

Recent estimates suggest that as many as 11.2 million people in Uganda do not have latrines, using instead nearby bushes putting people at great risk of contracting diseases. In Kiryandongo district, where our ECD project is based, the Uganda Regional Health Statistics indicate that over 40% of people do not have access to a proper pit latrine. The factors influencing such low coverage include poverty, poor land and waterlogging.

ElectricAid’s contribution of €7,882 will help us to construct latrine facilities at Diika and Okwece ECD centres in Kiryandongo.  Each centre will have a block of three pit latrines with hand washing facilities and will be suitable for children with disabilities. ECD tutors will be trained on maintenance of the latrines. The construction will also improve waste disposal and help to create a better overall learning environment.

It is estimated that 300 children and 10 tutors will benefit from the new latrines each year, making our new ECD centres a better place to be and potentially saving young lives from preventable but deadly diseases.

Our Direct Action projects like this one are a great way to support community initiatives all around the world and are open to individuals as well as organisations. If you would like to support one of these vital projects, please visit our Direct Action pages now.