ARI receives UNICEF funds to expand pilot project to 18 schools

In the Fall 2005 edition of The MAGAZINE of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, experts from the Bloomberg School noted that building pit latrines in developing countries is one of 10 least expensive ways to save millions of lives around the world. The MAGAZINE notes that: "though people don't often talk about them, pit latrines hold the potential for preventing most intestinal diseases, which frequently can be deadly in the developing world."

In schools, the construction of pit latrines combined with an effective promotion of hygiene behavior can dramatically reduce the risk of illnesses such as influenza and diarrhea, helping to keep children and teachers in schools. Adoption of new behaviors at school can also keep children healthier at home as they understand and practice safe water handling and good hand washing practices.

In June 2010, UNICEF awarded ARI a grant of $500,000 to rehabilitate or construct toilet facilities at 18 schools. ARI will construct each with two septic tanks and leach field. Porcelain toilets will be housed in existing toilet stalls or in portable toilets provided by UNICEF. Where water sources are insufficient, ARI will either install a rain water catchment system for the school or drill a borehole, line the well with casing, construct protection around the well, and install a treadle pump. ARI will implement an evidence-based hygiene promotion program at schools, to help break the cycle of illness and disease.

Since ARI is bearing some of the cost of this project, your donation will go a long way to make this project a success.

With donor funds and private donations, ARI is currently providing: