Stories of #GoodChange
Hope for Hygiene:
Water & Sanitation for Cambodia
A good life for children begins with taking care of their health. But in rural and isolated Cambodia, where many people live in poverty, this isn’t as easy as it sounds. The repercussions of children not taking care of their health can be long-lasting. It leaves them more at risk to respiratory infections and diseases such as diarrhoea – which can cause long term physical and mental impairment such as stunting.
Approximately 77% of Cambodians live in the rural countryside, relying on agriculture as a means of survival. In areas such as these, access to safe water and sanitation is poor – communities rely on rainfall for water, although these are usually stored in cement structures that can increase the spread of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue.
Nearly 3 million people in Cambodia are exposed to diseases such as dengue fever and diarrhoea. Cambodia has one of the highest infection rates of dengue in Southeast Asia, which can cause flu-like symptoms, and severe complications associated with bleeding, organ impairment or even death if not managed appropriately. Sadly, diarrhoea is also the leading cause of death in children under 5 years of age.
Open defecation is also an issue in poverty affected areas, where most toilets are either broken, without running water or there is poor access to them. Communities have no choice but to defecate in the fields, in open bodies of water or other spaces – which creates detrimental effects on health.
More than 50% of Cambodians don't have access to a proper toilet.
Without the means to do so, children aren't able to take care of their hygiene.
About 32% of children in Cambodia are stunted
Good Neighbours Australia tackles the roots of poverty by protecting children’s health
At Good Neighbours Australia, we tackle the roots of poverty by ensuring children are healthy enough to attend school. Providing a holistic approach, we teach children from as young as 4 years old the basics such as the 6 steps of washing their hands with soap and water and provide them with items their families can’t afford – such as a toothbrush, toothpaste and soap. Schools are also provided with funds to build toilets and sanitation facilities as well as equipment to provide clean and safe running water
