adminAshley Mujoma
THE Catholic Relief Services (CRS) has launched Accelerating Water, Improvement and Hygiene, a programme aimed at improving the living conditions of people living with disabilities in Murehwa.
The project aims to assist villagers who are unable to establish adequate levels of hygiene because of their disabilities. Working alongside the Government, CRS intends to build disability-friendly toilets in every household with a disabled resident.
Providing people with access to clean water, a safe environment and personal hygiene facilities can help prevent the spread of cholera and other water-borne illnesses.
Most people with disabilities unable to perform regular self-help hygiene routines, such as using ablution facilities, have uncomfortable daily routines and are vulnerable to diarrhoeal diseases.
CRS Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) specialist, Edson Nyashanu, said the programme resonates well with the Government’s National Development Strategy 1 (NDS1) aimed at offering people easy access to basic needs.
“We realised that, if we are to succeed in terms of development, people can only develop when they have access to safe water and a clean environment.
“We are targeting every household that has a disabled person and building a toilet with a disability access ramp facility. We are working in partnership with the Government to ensure that we play our part in the achievement of NDS1,” said Nyashanu.
Joyce Mavhurume (71), who lives with a disability, expressed gratitude for the project, “I am grateful to CRS for selecting me for this project. This toilet is going to be life-changing for me after a long struggle. We are no longer worried in our day-to-day life,” said Mavhurume.
The programme not only seeks to promote good hygiene, but to also improve the quality of life for people with disabilities.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter