Self-Care: A Ripple of Hope for Africa’s Children
Self-care is a small but powerful act that ripples out to others. For many children in Africa, however, self-care basics like access to clean water and hygiene are out of reach. These gaps significantly affect our health, education, and future.
How Hydration and Hygiene Shape Lives in Africa
In Africa, the challenges of accessing clean water and proper hygiene have profound effects on children:
Health Crises:
l Children under 5 are most vulnerable to diseases like diarrhoea, cholera, and typhoid, often caused by unsafe water. Diarrhea diseases remain one of the leading causes of child mortality in Africa (WHO, 2023).
Mental Well-being:
l Lack of clean water and hygiene leads to frequent illness, which takes a toll on children’s mental health. Chronic disease and malnutrition often cause developmental delays and anxiety.
Education Disruptions:
l School attendance drops dramatically in communities without clean water or sanitation. Girls are especially affected, as many skip school during menstruation due to the lack of toilets. According to UNICEF, improved water and sanitation in schools can increase attendance by up to 20%.
The Ripple Effect: Why We Must Continue to Act
Supporting access to clean water and hygiene creates long-lasting impacts:
For Children:
l Better hydration and reduced exposure to disease allow children to grow stronger and live healthier lives.
l Improved mental focus and physical stamina lead to better performance in school.
For Families:
l Families spend less time and money treating preventable illnesses.
l Parents can focus on work and improving household stability.
For Communities:
l Fewer outbreaks mean less strain on healthcare systems.
l Healthier children grow into adults who can contribute to their community’s development.
Addressing the Challenges in Africa
The statistics are sobering:
· Around 418 million Africans lack basic drinking water services (UNICEF/WHO, 2023).
· Women and children collectively spend an estimated 200 million hours per day fetching water, time that could be spent in school or at work.
Your efforts can close this gap. Initiatives like installing clean water sources, providing sanitation facilities, and educating children about hygiene create ripples that transform lives.
Why Self-Care Matters
When children have the basics: ‘clean water and hygiene’ they focus on thriving instead of surviving. Self-care is more than an individual act; it’s a collective commitment to a better future.
Your contribution ensures that the ripple starts with one child and extends to an entire generation. Together, we are creating a healthier, stronger Africa.
By: Tolulope Adebajo
Project Director
Digging Well Foundation, Nigeria
Email: tolu.adebajo@diggingwell.org