Written by Safira Tafani Cholisi, Content Writer Intern Project Child Indonesia
Although we consume and use it every day, sometimes it is easy to forget the importance of water in our life. Water is not only a resource to keep us hydrated or to clean our bodies as well as household necessities, but it also plays a great role in our larger ecosystem. With its fluid property, water is excellent to carry nutrients and other materials to support the living cycle of biotics. An oceanographer named Brian Glazer once said that where there is water, there are always at least some microbes that live and thrive there (Ghose, 2015). Essentially, water signifies life on Earth.
Yet, despite its great significance, not everyone has equal access to clean water and sanitation. Such inequality is reflected in the report by World Health Organization (WHO) which suggests that 2.2 billion people in the world still do not have access to consumable and clean drinking water while 4.2 billion people do not have properly managed sanitation services (1 in 3 people globally do not have access to safe drinking water – UNICEF, WHO, 2019). In Indonesia itself, water supply and sanitation remain a huge challenge as municipalities and districts, particularly in the rural areas, often lack sufficient budget and funding to build well-functioning infrastructure for water management.
World Water Day
World Water Day is celebrated annually on 22 March. The day aims to raise awareness about the importance of water and the ways in which we can protect its sources. Clean water and sanitation are included in the sixth Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs) by the United Nations, signifying its primacy and the global commitment to provide equal access to clean water and sanitation. This year’s theme of “Valuing Water” will ask us to realize and consider the value water holds in our life other than its monetary value, such as the value of water for our health, environment, and survival (Celebration of World Water Day 2021 – Valuing Water, 2021). With this theme, it is hoped that we can get inspired to take concrete actions in protecting water resources and extending equal access to them.
Clean water and children
Children are one of the most vulnerable groups who are significantly impacted by the lack to clean water and sanitation. They become exposed to diarrhea, cholera, and other preventable diseases had there been sufficient supply and access to clean water. Other than the obvious danger of death, these diseases also obstruct children’s learning activity and put a barrier on their path to achieve their dreams. It is also reported that a great number of schools as the primary learning space for children still lack basic hygiene and clean drinking water (Yola, 2018). This condition could affect their study performance and their overall learning outcome.
Project Child Indonesia recognizes the severity of this issue and established the Drinking Water Program which aims to solve the problem of minimum access to clean drinking water by providing water facilities in schools across Yogyakarta, Pacitan, Fak-fak, and Lebak. On top of the instrumental facility, the Drinking Water Program also holds workshops and campaigns to promote health and environmental issues. If you’re wondering how you can support this program, you can always donate to Project Child Indonesia or get involved directly by applying for a volunteer or internship program at Project Child Indonesia. We believe that every child deserves to get the best resources to support their goals, and you too can contribute to realizing their dreams!
References
World Health Organization. 2019. 1 in 3 people globally do not have access to safe drinking water – UNICEF, WHO. [online] Available at: <https://www.who.int/news/item/18-06-2019-1-in-3-people-globally-do-not-have-access-to-safe-drinking-water-unicef-who> [Accessed 19 March 2021].
UN Water. 2021. Celebration of World Water Day 2021 – Valuing Water. [online] Available at: <https://www.unwater.org/worldwaterday2021/> [Accessed 19 March 2021].
Ghose, T., 2015. Why Is Water So Essential for Life?. [online] Live Science. Available at: <https://www.livescience.com/52332-why-is-water-needed-for-life.html> [Accessed 19 March 2021].
Yola, 2018. Young children most at risk from lack of water, sanitation and hygiene in schools. [online] Water Aid. Available at: <https://www.wateraid.org/uk/media/young-children-most-at-risk-from-lack-of-water-sanitation-and-hygiene-in-schools> [Accessed 19 March 2021].
