Pilot Implementation of School and Community-Based Information and Education Program for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in Nzoia County

Background

Water sanitation and hygiene is a program of Kilili Self Help Project whose main goal is to raise the standards of living through improved health and productivity by expanding access to potable water supply systems, hygiene and environmental sanitation.

Water and environmental sanitation are basic human rights and essential for survival of human beings. Water should be directly linked to poverty eradication strategies – an investment and not an expense; a holistic approach of water resource management offers benefits of improved livelihood. The most important impact however refers to health, considering the high levels of infant mortality and prevalence of water-borne and water related diseases.

Justification

Lack of adequate and safe water contributes to water and sanitation-related diseases and mortality, decreasing the productivity and income earning potentials of the affected population and significantly contributing to the reduction of life expectancy. To increase the impact of food productivity and utilization initiatives in Nzoia County, access to safe drinking water and improved hygiene practices have emerged as urgent priorities for Kilili Self Help Project

The economic growth and scale of urbanization in Trans-Nzoia District has a high environmental cost. Urban environment services are inadequate and pollution levels are high. Cities and towns suffer from high rates of air, water and land pollution, creating a serious threat to public health. Inadequate portable water suppliers, inadequate solid waste management and wastewater collection are a cute problem

Objective

Kilili school and community-based information and education program aims to promote environmental awareness on water supply and sanitation through advocacy, information and education, and training and capacity development of local communities and local governments. The objective is to build capacities of communities and schools in order to facilitate changes of behavior and personal attitudes among people to promote better understanding of the linkage between protecting the environment and maintenance of good health.

Scope and Location of Work/Description of Activities

The Pilot Demonstration Activity (PDA) will be implemented in Nzoia County in Kiminini division, covering about five schools or communities. The scope of the project covers the following activities:

1. Develop and/or adopting water, sanitation and hygiene related environmental education program for children and local communities;
2. Conduct water and sanitation education program for children and local communities;
3. Training of formal and non-formal educators and community leaders (men and women) to form a core of trainers in water, sanitation, and hygiene education;
4. Produce documentation such as leaflets, brochures, billboards, and video for public awareness and education programs;
5. Drawing competition as part of the “World Water Day” for children, youths and community groups; and
6. Establishment/ rehabilitation of water and sanitation facilities in 5 selected schools and communities.

The scope will be for targeted schools, communities and parents and the IEC strategy will enhance the management of water and sanitation sector through building the knowledge and practical applications in day-to-day living in the villages. The IEC program will be piloted in poorest sanitation conditions in the project area and also in more populated urban villages. There are no existing IEC programs by Nzoia County. This PDA will directly support the proposed program at grassroots shopping centers and Towns

Expected Results (outputs/outcomes/effects/impacts)

1. Outputs

The output of the program will be twofold Increased awareness of children from five selected schools and communities surrounding the school on public hygiene, water conservation and sanitation; and (ii) establishment/rehabilitation of water and sanitation facilities in 5 selected schools and communities

2. Outcomes

The outcome of the pilot program will be increased awareness of urban residents on hygiene, public health and environmental aspect related to water conservation and sanitation,

3. Impacts

The impact of the pilot program is improved public health and quality of life for urban and grassroots residents in Nzoia County

Measurable Performance Indicators

• Production of teaching and promotional materials, including brochures, video, and billboards, calendar from the drawing competition on water and sanitation programs;

• Rehabilitation of toilets in five schools;

• Aprox. 2,500 children from primary and secondary are aware of hygiene and sanitation program; and

• 100 parents, teachers and community leaders trained on water, sanitation and hygiene education.

The proposed scope is on environmental sanitation, including awareness of the extent of pollution and clean-up of public water bodies. There is a need to integrate sanitation practices with related river and ground water pollution which is happening in the County. If the villages/communities will be taught particularly in the vulnerable areas part of the project area then village committees can replicate the program in similar villages. Criteria that can be used to review the success of the progress include: (i) commitment of the village to continue on replicating to communities (other than the pilot) with target dates set and target households; (ii) establishment of a system in place for the village on improving sanitation practices; and (iii) setting up of a monitoring system in place to coordinate with the village, town, and even city level to ensure that the program is successfully replicated.

Stakeholders Participation

The proposed activities will engage beneficiaries i.e., children, youths, parents, teachers, community leaders (men and women) and facilitate collaboration among local government institutions to design and implement water and sanitation hygiene program and formulate effective measures to sustain health benefits from the Project.

J. Scope for Replication/Use in Other Regions

The program potential replicability will be high and significant. After demonstrating this pilot activity, the lessons and good practices will be replicated in the other counties and regions. Potential for wider dissemination and replication will be explored for future water supply, wastewater management and solid waste management project in areas which have similar water and sanitation problems. Lessons learned will also be disseminated through publication, water and social development bodies i.e., Lake Victoria North Water Service Board website

Cost estimates

Consultancy - 8,000

Media, development of IEC materials - 4000

Travels and transports - 2000

Construction - 20,000

Art competition - 10,000

Grassroots trainings - 6,000