Why teach about sanitation?

Proper disposal of human waste is essential in curbing water-related diseases. The Bible gave sage advice to the Jewish nation, it taught them to “designate a place outside the camp where you can go to relieve yourself. As part of your equipment have something to dig with, and when you relieve yourself, dig a hole and cover up your excrement” Deuteronomy 23:12-13. These same steps can still protect people from illness, but there are 2.6 billion people (about 4 out of 10 people worldwide) that lack access to adequate sanitation. This results in water sources above and below ground that become contaminated and unsafe. Basic sanitation, such as using a latrine (outhouse), helps stop the spread of disease. Lifewater's newly established sanitation emphasis will compliment Lifewater’s existing programs by providing a well-rounded approach to community health. It will assist needy communities through education on disease transmission, latrine construction, repair and maintenance, and social attitudes and behaviors about proper waste disposal. Since sanitation is a new direction there is a need for trained volunteers to teach; while Lifewater has lots of volunteers to cover water and hygiene training, but we are two of their first nine sanitation trainers.