In the rural villages of Nigeria, children are playing an active role in transforming their communities by advocating for change in water, sanitation and hygiene practices.
Before the implementation of this clean water project in Nigeria by The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation, USAID and GETF, a community of 5,000 people was drinking from a single unclean ditch. After the installation, the response from the children was remarkable as they were excited to teach others about the importance of hygiene and clean water to stay healthy. Learn More
Improved Health and Livelihoods in Nigeria’s Rural Communities
Nigeria - Kano State
The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation has supported community water programs through the WADA (Water Development Alliance) partnership since 2005. It was during this year that The Coca-Cola Company and The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) launched a unique public-private partnership to address community water needs in developing countries around the world. TCCAF, USAID AND GETF, through the WADA, provided funding for a community water project in underdeveloped villages of Nigeria’s Kano State to promote the use of clean water and sanitation.
“Before the implementation of this project, a community of 5,000 people was drinking from a single contaminated ditch. They had no idea how sick they were.” says Salamatu Garba, founder of the Women Farmer’s Advancement Network (WOFAN), a local partner for the project. WOFAN, building on the project supported by TCCAF and USAID, has continued drilling boreholes (wells) in communities and schools and developing sanitation stations such as latrines and flushing toilets.
”The response particularly from the children in these underprivileged areas has been nothing short of remarkable. The children are consistently learning and teaching each other through outdoor theatre performances and, in some areas, more than 1,000 people gather to listen to their stories of hope. Bad practices are not something that can be stopped right away but the children have made a significant improvement in their lives and in the rest of the community.
Together RAIN, USAID, and WOFAN have created the foundation for a strong sense of cooperation and camaraderie in the rural villages, exemplified by these successes. The total WADA partnership funding has grown from just $1.8 million in its first year for 3 countries to about $25.7million in 2011, supporting projects in 18 countries. The WADA partnership continues to support TCCAF’s Replenish Africa Initiative (RAIN)
