Photo; Water For People
With new funds from the Inter-American Development Bank and The Coca-Cola Foundation, the SWASH+ program will provide safe drinking water, restroom facilities, and improved hygiene education to over 15,000 more students at 150 schools in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua.
SWASH+ (School Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Education Plus Community Impact) Central America is a regional of the Millennium Water Alliance (MWA) that is be implemented by the US NGOs Water For People, CARE and Catholic Relief Services. So far the program has provided school sanitation facilities to 17,331 students in 152 schools.
In Guatemala, SWASH+ is targeting 65 additional schools and communities in Guatemala. In each school, the program trains the Parent-Teacher Association and school director to build a water supply system. Training on water treatment is also provided. The community helps to build or renovate school restrooms.
Co-financing from local governments and communities is a key part of SWASH+.
Parents and students also participate in hygiene training that emphasizes the importance of handwashing to prevent disease.
UNICEF, ITT and the Global Water Challenge have also been key supporters of the SWASH+ program.
Related web site: SWASH+
Source: Water for People, 23 Aug 2010
Sanitation Updates 