The project which is funded by The One Foundation, aims to improve access to safe water and hygiene practices, in turn improving the health and quality of life of over 60,898 people living in 36 villages in TA Kapichi in Thyolo district. The majority of people living in these villages work at the Eastern Outgrowers Trust (EOT), currently known as Thuchira Tea Association and source water from unprotected wells compounded by poor sanitation and hygiene practices.
Following the outbreak of COVID-19, UP received emergency funds from The One Foundation to support the district in its efforts to contain the spread of the disease. The Kapichi WASH project has been supporting the district COVID-19 response in TA Kapichi, but also in other TAs, including Nsabwe and Bvumbwe.
As regular handwashing with soap is the main measure to prevent contagion of COVID-19 but also other diseases, such as diarrhoea, cholera and typhoid, UP conducted multiple handwashing demonstrations at markets, health care facilities and schools to promote better hygiene practices.
Mary from Namiwa Village in TA Kapichi is one of the people who took part in the handwashing demonstrations. After being sensitised by UP staff on the importance of good hygiene practices, she decided to set up a tippy tap at her household. “The tippy tap has enabled me and my family to adhere to good hygiene practices such as regular handwashing with soap. All we can do to protect ourselves from the virus is to wash our hands and listen to the experts and follow their advice”, explains Mary.
Mary and her daughter using their tippy tap
Esther from Chimiko Village, another community member who was sensitised on good hygiene practices and taught by UP staff how to set up a handwashing facility, says her example has motivated other community members: “When I built my tippy tap other community members liked it and they started constructing theirs. We are using them the way we were taught by UP”.
UP always advises communities to construct tippy taps as the design is simple and at the same time very hygienic.
Esther using her tippy tap
Informed consent was obtained from the project participant for the publication of this image in accordance with UP’s safeguarding policy.