Nkeza Foundation

Centre for Environment Justice Extractive Industries, Sustainable Energy, Water Security, Environmental Protection, Climate Change

Water is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula H₂O. It is a transparent, tasteless, odorless, and nearly colorless chemical substance, and it is the main constituent of Earth's hydrosphere and the fluids of all known living organisms.

Water is so essential to Life, and it is a part of the Human Rights...

including have the Right to Clean, Safe Water and Sanitation!📢

to help the World be a better place for , everywhere!

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🖊️Admin Desk, —Press and Public Affairs Bureau

ITS TODAY!

WATER SECURITY IN LIGHT OF CLIMATE CHANGE!

Time: Sep 20, 2023 07:00 PM Harare, Pretoria

Join us Live on Zoom Meeting

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86314069042?pwd=S1V2alBDTmJVRndjSXY5cXRON0w2dz09

Meeting ID: 863 1406 9042
Passcode: 968819

Topic: The Masambilo Conversation Series | Water security in light of Climate change

Directorate of Research, Innovation and Internationalization DRII | Partnerships and Internationalization Unit

The Masambilo Conversation Series | Water security in light of Climate change
Date and Time: September 20th, 2023 - 07:00 PM Harare, Pretoria
Join Zoom Meetinghttps://lnkd.in/dakBERag Meeting ID: 863 1406 9042 Passcode: 968819
Panel | Kelvin Simukondwi
Kelvin is the current Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI) Zambian Chapter Sustainability Coordinator and the Zambia United States Exchange Alumni Association (ZUEA) North Western Chapter Committee Member. Kelvin is the Founder of a local nonprofit Nkeza Foundation. He also runs Douse Engineering & Consults in Zambia.
Kelvin is a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) specialist. He is a National Coach and Trainer in Zambia for Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) and Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation (PHAST).

KELVIN is a graduate of the University of South Africa (UNISA) Graduate School of Business Leadership (BSL) in Leadership in Public Management and Governance, under the YALI Region Leadership Centre (RLC) Southern Africa, Online Cohort 08. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management Systems and a Diploma in Water Engineering. He has a Certificate in Water Supply and Sanitation and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Environmental Natural and Resources Management at the University of Zambia.
Kelvin has expertise in Water Supply, Sanitation, and Hygiene; Public Health Engineering, Community Mobilization, Resource Mobilization Strategies for the development of viable Income Generating Activities (IGAs) and Participatory Methodologies including strategic planning for front-line health workers.
KELVIN is on the other hand a Safety, Occupational Health, Environment, and Quality (SHEQ) Specialist, Consultant, and Trainer. He is a Professional Environmental Engineer registered by the Engineering In statute of Zambia (EIZ) as well as the Energy Regulation Board (ERB) with combined industry experience of more than ten years.
Kelvin has addressed many gatherings on water related matters including the launch of the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Cohort 1 in 2022 at the University of South Africa (UNISA), Graduate School of Business Leadership (BSL), under the YALI Region Leadership Center (RLC) Southern Africa. Kelvin has also addressed stakeholders in various forums including the designing of the Zambian Open Defection Free (ODF) Strategy 2018 to 2030 at Mulungushi International Conference Centre (Lusaka, Zambia) during the National Sanitation Summit.
KELVIN is industrious, disciplined, reliable, self-motivated, and committed to achieving the desired result with little or no supervision. These attributes have translated to over eleven years of proven leadership experience at the Community, District, Provincial, and National levels, with particular strengths in motivating individuals, families, and communities in collaboration with stakeholders such as local and international nongovernmental organization, District Health Management Teams and other government departments through teamwork, capacity building training, and organisation development to realise organisational set goals and objectives aimed at addressing identified challenges.

“To become what you have to become starts with your dream. You have to dream before you become your dream. Your dreams will give up on you when you give up on your dreams. Keep dreaming, and never give up on your dreams” - Kelvin Simukondwi

Directorate of Research, Innovation and Internationalization DRII |

Partnerships and Internationalization Unit

The Masambilo Conversation Series | Water security in light of Climate change

Date and Time: September 20th, 2023 - 07:00 PM Harare, Pretoria

Join Zoom Meetinghttps://lnkd.in/dakBERag

Meeting ID: 863 1406 9042 Passcode: 968819

Panelist | Kamogelo Lesedi Pojane

Profession and Business

• Soil and Water Engineer
• Founder and Director: Raw Bites Rarefaction Edibles
• Published Author: While I Still Can
Professional Association
• Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI): Sustainability Coordinator
• UNISA Graduate School of Business: Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Cohort 1
• Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN): Soil and Water Conservation Engineering (Bsc SWCE)

About

Kamogelo is a young Water Engineer currently serving marginalised communities through an NGO, equipping them with knowledge, skills and imploring technologies that promote sustainable use of water. Her mandate is to make SDG 2 and 6 a reality for all, ultimately improving global economy.

As an alumni of the Young African Leaders Initiative, a seasoned author and poet;

• She has been well capacitated to mentor Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYWs) by Hope worldwide Botswana.

• In addition to delivering the DREAMS package, mentees have access to cognitive development fusion wrap-up sessions. They reflect on real life issues and solicit base line approach to long term solutions.

• Ms Montlane recently published a book (Co-author) titled “While I Still Can” which bridges the gap between parent-child interactions with respect to literacy and generational differences in practices directly affecting the environment.

Kamogelo’s experience in her previous employment was a constant reminder of her purpose in life. To be part of a force that addresses human basic needs and development at low to no cost to their clients.

Favourite quote: Sustainability is the foundation for today’s leading global framework for local and international cooperation, a breeding ground for light on ecology, economy and equity – Ralph Bicknese

JOIN THE CONVERSATION!

WATER SECURITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE

In 2020, it was estimated that around two billion people live without safely managed drinking water services. Some 40% of water bodies across the world don’t meet the standards of ‘good’ water quality, and water stress levels in some areas of the world are over 70%.

What does this mean to US?

JOIN THE CONVERSATION!

YALI RLC SA - Zambia YALI Regional Leadership Center Southern Africa YALI Africa

Directorate of Research, Innovation and Internationalization DRII |
Partnerships and Internationalization Unit

The Masambilo Conversation Series | Water security in light of Climate change
Date and Time: September 20th, 2023 - 07:00 PM Harare, Pretoria

Join Zoom Meeting
https://lnkd.in/dakBERag
Meeting ID: 863 1406 9042
Passcode: 968819

Panelists:
Lethukuthula Mhlongo | Water Scientist, Rand Water, Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA
Kamogelo Montlane | Soil & Water Engineer, YALI RLC BW Sustainability Coordinator, BOTSWANA
Kelvin Simukondwi (Cert.Dip.BSc.MEIZ) | Sustainability Coordinator - YALI Zambia Chapter | CEO - Founder, Nkeza foundation | WASH Expert, ZAMBIA

Moderator: Linowe Muwela, Development studies Lecturer, National Institute of Public Administration, ZAMBIA

Masambilo | 'Bridging the knowledge-practice gap' | [email protected]

Climate change is a threat multiplier | Let's Talk About It!

The World Bank reports 130 million additional people will be pushed into poverty because of climate change by 2030. Climate-related shocks and risks exacerbate inequalities between children in terms of health, education and long-term development outcomes. Threatened livelihoods and competition for scarce resources triggered by changing climate put millions of children at increased risk of violence.

Women and girls are particularly vulnerable to climate change due to pre-existing gender inequalities and social norms. 45 million people worldwide are currently at extreme risk of famine.

Almost 21 million children are one step away from famine and face starvation.

The causes of this crisis are the climate crisis, conflicts and COVID-19 aftershocks.

3.2 billion people are affected by land degradation.

Over 160 million children live in areas of high-level drought.

Additionally, 920 million children are highly exposed to water scarcity’ (UNICEF 2021). Climate change must be addressed or the consequences will be dire. Droughts will become more intense, land degradation and desertification will increase, and the hunger crisis will worsen.

Climate change is having severe humanitarian consequences as well. More frequent and severe natural hazards are amplifying already high levels of humanitarian need globally. By 2050, the World Bank estimates that an additional 143 million people across sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and Latin America could be internally displaced as a result of slow-onset impacts of climate change including water stress, crop failure and sea-level rise.



YALI RLC SA - Zambia YALI Regional Leadership Center Southern Africa

Nkeza Foundation updated their website address.

The Board, Management and Staff of Nkeza Foundation joins the Nation in congratulating His Excellency the President-Elect of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema, on His victory in the 2021 general elections. We wish Him and Her Honour, the Vice President-Elect Mrs. Mutale Nalumango success and God's blessings as they lead our great Nation.

Nkeza Foundation
Strengthening Communities

AGRICULTURAL ADAPTATION STRATEGIES TO CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS
=====================================

Adapting to climate change entails taking the right measures to reduce the negative effects of climate change (or exploit the positive ones) by making the appropriate adjustments and changes.

Adaptation is defined as an adjustments in natural or human systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli or effects, which moderates harm or exploits beneficial opportunities. It also refers to actions that people, countries, and societies take to adjust to climate change that has occurred.

Adaptation has three possible objectives: to reduce exposure to the risk of damage; to develop the capacity to cope with unavoidable damages; and to take advantage of new opportunities.

AGRICULTURAL ADAPTATION STRATEGIES TO CLIMATE CHANGE

1. Planting of drought resistant varieties of crops: Emphasis on more drought-resistant crops in drought-prone areas could help in reducing vulnerability to climate change. For example, wheat and cassava requires significantly less irrigation water compared to rice.

2. Crop diversification: Diversification towards high value crops is feasible in the medium to long term. Crop diversity is a high priority adaptation measure in both irrigated and non-irrigated areas. Crop diversification can serve as insurance against rainfall variability.

3. Improved irrigation efficiency: Success of climate change adaptation depends on availability of fresh water in drought-prone areas. It should be emphasized that most adaptation methods provide benefits even with the lower end of climate change scenarios, such as improved irrigation efficiency. As water becomes a limiting factor, improved irrigation efficiency will become an important adaptation tool. Climate change is expected to result in decreased fresh water availability (surface and groundwater) and reduced soil moisture during the dry season, while the crop water demand is expected to increase because of increased evapo-transpiration caused by climate change.

Everyone Can Plant a Tree & Help Fight Climate Change
=====================================

Planting trees is a simple thing everyone can do to reduce carbon dioxide, a principal greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. No matter where you live, you can plant trees...and take a proactive, positive step toward keeping our planet healthy.

Plant trees in your yard and around your home. They’ll provide shade to cool your home in summer and windbreaks to reduce cold winds in winter - reducing your energy needs.

Plant trees in your community - in parks, around schools, and in urban areas. Trees help shade buildings and pavement, reducing the heat-island effect and conserving energy.

Plant trees on your farm or rural property. Trees and woody agriculture also protect soil, provide wildlife habitat, shade your home, create windbreaks, and keep streams and rivers clean, while helping to fight climate change.

Plant trees in our national forests. You’ll also be helping to restore these beautiful national treasures for future generations to enjoy.

How Recycling Can Prevent Climate Change
===================================

Over the last decade, recycling has emerged as one of the most important weapons in the fight against global warming and climate change. Recycling saves energy, reduces deforestation, minimizes greenhouse gas emissions from landfills, and encourages the production of more energy efficient products. Everyone can participate in the available programs at the household, community, and industry levels using existing technology and infrastructure. Even something as simple as using recycling containers to sort your waste makes a difference.

What Is Climate Change?

Climate change refers to any significant change in measures of climate, such as temperature, wind, and precipitation (rainfall and snow). These changes are caused by many factors including human activities like cutting down trees and burning fossil fuels that result in increased air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The effects of climate change can last for decades or longer.

Everyone makes decisions in their home, workplace, and community about their lifestyle habits and the products they buy. By stopping destructive habits and adopting green practises, such as reducing the amount of products you use, reusing products instead of tossing them away, and recycling waste products in your home and workplace, you can help reduce climate change.

Why Recycling Is an Effective Weapon against Climate Change

Recycling is easy and requires minimal effort and time, yet it has a huge impact. Studies indicate that deforestation and landfills account for an estimated 25% of the global greenhouse gas emissions annually. Globally, landfill contributes double the carbon dioxide emissions of the entire aviation sector. It makes sense to work on reducing the adverse effects of landfills as much as on cutting down on the adverse effects of air travel.

Recycling eliminates the need for new raw materials to make new products. For instance, recycling one ton of paper saves 19 trees from being cut. Tree preservation in turn leads to the protection of water catchment areas and promotes the capture of carbon dioxide, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and global warming.

Recycling also reduces energy consumption. The process of extracting new materials would not only result in greenhouse gas emissions, but also consume more energy compared to processing recycled materials. For instance, the production of recycled paper requires 65% less energy than the production of fresh paper from raw materials.

Final Note

Generally, recycling minimizes the use of available resources and the release of greenhouse gases. The production of recycled paper, for instance, uses 80% less water than using raw materials. This in turn reduces the emission of greenhouse gases—nitrous oxide and methane—during wastewater treatment.

You can play a part in preventing climate change by simply re-evaluating your household, office, or commercial activities and identifying areas you can reduce, reuse, or recycle.

VIRTUAL YALILEARNS WEBINAR
Join us on Zoom as we discuss Management of COVID-19 and the Involvement of the Youth in Africa.

Meeting ID: 899 9616 8108
Passcode: 518808

Date: Thursday Sep 3, 2020 | Time: 03:00 PM Johannesburg

Welcome To September!

Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.
-Psalms 55:22

Join a webinar hosted by Kelvin Simukondwi

Topic: Management of COVID-19 and Involvement of Youth in Africa
Date and Time: Sep 3, 2020 @ 03:00 PM CAT Harare, Pretoria, Lusaka

Facebook Link: https://web.facebook.com/events/670951593813558/

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us04web.zoom.us/j/79021701900?pwd=aDlVYWVYazh4ZUlCVUc4SWc2SkFJQT09

VIRTUAL YALILEARNS WEBINAR

Nkeza Foundation is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Management of COVID-19 and Involvement of a Youth in Africa
Time: Sep 3, 2020 03:00 PM Johannesburg

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89996168108?pwd=RHdGTG5PQTc4Z0djd3lTKzJqa3VBZz09

Meeting ID: 899 9616 8108
Passcode: 518808

YALI Network face2face

We are inspiring lasting change in people and communities through education and training which helps transform communities so they can become self-sufficient.

9 days to Go!
VIRTUAL YALILEARNS WEBINAR

Join our founder and CEO, Kelvin Simukondwi, Robson Maamba Jr. Founder, Royalty Community Organisation and Sihle Maphule, 2020 YALI RLC South Africa Alumni, on a VIRTUAL YALILEARNS WEBINAR as they discuss about "Management of COVID-19 and Involvement of the Youth in Africa."

The program will air live on Zoom and Nkeza Foundation page on 03.09.2020, 3PM CAT. Don't Miss!

YALI Network face2face

Meet the Host

Kelvin Simukondwi
​
Nkeza Foundation was founded by Mr Kelvin Simukondwi following an engagement and the knowledge obtained through the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) NETWORK. Mr Simukondwi is an Alumni of the YALI Region Leadership Centre Southern African (RLC SA), in Leadership in Public Management and Governance.

Mr Simukondwi was born in Siasuntwe Village, Siavonga District of Southern Province in Zambia. As a young man, Mr Simukondwi grew up in a community were scarcity and calamity was the order of the day and he saw firsthand, the pain and suffering caused by poverty. He grew up in rural and remote places of Nanga and Nega-Nega in Mazabuka District, Southern Zambia.

Following his completion of grade 12 (form V) from Monze Boarding High School in 2004, Mr Simukondwi engaged in voluntary work with the local youth organisation called Youth Development Organisation (YDO) were he was involved in Spearheading HIV and AIDS prevention programmes and advocating for the rights of children and women in the community.

Mr Simukondwi loves nature, the environment and people.

Meet the Speaker

Robson Maamba Jr.

Robson Maamba is a Zambian male with 8 years of experience in information management, dissemination and preservation. Robson holds a Bachelor of Library and Information Science and Public Administration from the University of Zambia and also holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honors) in Information Science from University of South Africa.

He is currently working with Rusangu University in Monze as Assistant Librarian. In the past 3 years Robson has been involved in voluntary humanitarian community activities distributing relief food in the hunger affected areas of Shang’ombo, Monze and Pemba districts reaching out to over 400 families.

He has also volunteered to provide literacy skills to out of school girls and women of Hanyabo village in Chief Ufwenka of Monze District. He is also a 2018 Mandela Washington Fellow a flagship program of the Young African Leaders Initiative.

Robson has just been awarded the prestigious Chevening Scholarship by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) of the British Government to pursue a Masters program at University of York in England in the 2020/21 Academic Year.

MEET THE HOST, MR KELVIN SIMUKONDWI

Our CEO Mr. Kelvin Simukondwi will be the host of the coming VIRTUAL YALILEARNS WEBINAR which will be live on our page on 3rd September, 2020 at 3PM CAT. Keep the date!

VIRTUAL YALILEARNS WEBINAR

Join our founder and CEO, Kelvin Simukondwi, Robson Maamba Jr. Founder, Royalty Community Organisation and Sihle Maphule, 2020 YALI RLC South Africa Alumni, on a VIRTUAL YALILEARNS WEBINAR as they discuss about "Management of COVID-19 and Involvement of the Youth in Africa."

The program will air live on Zoom and Nkeza Foundation page on 03.09.2020, 3PM CAT. Don't Miss!

YALI Network face2face

Greetings,

We're back!
Kindly stay focused on this platform as we continue updating you on our ongoing projects and events.

A Father's Day Message From our CEO Mr. Kelvin Simukondwi.

Hello friend!
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and yours a special Father's Day. Whatever this day means or looks like for you whether its with (or the memory of) your earthly Dad or the men who have had a significant spiritual fathering role in your life or both.
Fatherhood is a great privilege, responsibility and joy.

In modern times there has never been a greater need for the hearts of the fathers to be turned to the hearts of the children.
It is not often spoken of that many of the ills we see in society now are the result of fatherlessness.

A Father's impact on his children and those around him is profound in one way or another. God designed it this way.

As the need is great we continue to pray and live intentionally so that Biblical manhood and Godly masculinity can be rediscovered in our Churches and society
Enjoy this day!

Zambia Records 182 New Covid-19 Cases

Zambia has recorded 182 new COVID-19 cases in the last seven days out of 9,275 tests done.

And Western Province has recorded its first nine COVID-19 cases and one related death, taking the death toll to 11 since the disease was first recorded in Zambia in March.

So far, 1,142 patients have recovered from COVID-19 while the cumulative total of confirmed cases stands at 1,382.

Health Minister Dr Chitalu Chilufya, who has recovered from COVID-19, announced the new statistics during a briefing today.

"We did record two cases of health workers in Ndola and 36 were recorded out of the facility based surveillance, routine screening and these included 20 from Lusaka, six from Ndola, five from Mongu, Kaoma two, Senanga one, Sesheke one, Chingola one and at the point of entry at KK international airport three,” Dr Chilufya said.

“Out of the mass screening that we conducted in various parts of the country, particularly Chililabombwe, Kitwe, Lusaka, we got 54 and 44 truck drivers from Nakonde, Livingstone, Chililabombwe and Chirundu."

QUOTE
Water is the most critical resource issue of our lifetime and our children's lifetime. The health of our water is the principal measure of how we live on the land.

-Luna Leopold-

CHILDREN'S EDUCATION AND WATER CRISIS

Lack of clean water has serious effects on students' academic performance and attendance rates. The lack of safe water can cause even the best students to lose momentum as they deal with stomach pains and diarrhea from disease and hunger.

Students miss class to go fetch water, or to care for sick parents or siblings. In many places HIV/AIDS has already caused a large percentage of children to become orphans, requiring students to drop out and find work to provide food and care for younger siblings. If teachers are sick, classes get cancelled for all students.

Schools cannot run programs if they cannot provide water to students, faculty and their families.

Lack of Water = Lack of Equality
For girls, the situation is especially troublesome. If schools do not have proper toilets, girls drop out once they reach puberty. Further, it is typically the responsibility of the women to fetch water thus limiting their access to both education and business opportunities. Think about it: everyday, women and young girls carry more than 50 liters of dirty water from sources over 6 kilometers away from their homes. This leaves little time for education which is critical to changing the long term prospects of developing nations.

With the many additional burdens that a lack of clean water brings, education simply becomes less of a priority. This sets up an unfortunate cycle of poverty and inequality as without a proper education, there is little chance of improving one's situation later in life.

Our goal is to bring clean, sustainable water supplies to within a half mile (1 km) of a village. By making the process of collecting water more time-efficient, we're giving children (especially girls) a chance to get back in to the classroom to break the cycle of poverty for themselves. You can be a part of the solution to end the gender gap in classrooms across the rural community and help children stay in school.

Today's Quote as we celebrate Environment and nature conservation.

"He that plants trees loves others besides himself"
-Dr. Thomas Fuller

HAPPY WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY!
5th June, 2020

Hello friends!
Every year, World Environment Day is observed on June 5. This day is celebrated to encourage awareness and environmental protection. The celebration of this day provides us with an opportunity to broaden the basis for an enlightened opinion and responsible conduct by individuals, enterprises, and communities in preserving and enhancing the environment.

The theme of World Environment 2020 is 'celebrate biodiversity' - a concern that is both urgent and existential.

Nkeza Foundation joins the rest of the world to advocate green climate and nature conservation.

Happy World Environment Day!

TODAY'S QUOTE!
"Do it before you run out of time"
-Anonymous

-19 update: Cases by District in as of Monday 1st June, 2020.

UPDATE: ’s -19 cases now stands at a total of 1,089 with 912 recoveries. In the last 5 days, carried out 3,961 tests out of which 32 new cases were recorded and 133 people have recovered and been discharged. This brings the active cases in Zambia to 170.

HAPPY NEW MONTH!
1st June, 2020.

For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
Isaiah 41:13 NIV

GENDER EQUALITY AND GIRLS' EMPOWERMENT.
Gender equality is not only a fundamental human right but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future. Worldwide, patriarchal gender norms and discrimination drive violence against women and girls.

Nkeza Foundation is making sure that all girls and boys are equally heard and valued, where they have equitable access and time to devote to education, to work, to rest and to play. This is a world built on transformative change – to the dismantling of patriarchal, discriminatory gender norms and the inequalities they sustain.

These norms affect both boys and girls but have a disproportionate impact on girls, preventing them from claiming their rights, exposing them to harmful practices, driving rights abuses in their homes, relationships and communities, and through embedded structural inequalities that shape their lives from childhood through adulthood.

Some girls face even greater challenges due to multiple and intersecting forms of deprivation and marginalization based on poverty and characteristics such as ethnicity, displacement and location.

The community we want is a community in which no girl faces gender-based discrimination, suffers violence or marries at an under age and every last girl fully enjoys her right to be protected from harm, to learn, survive and thrive. Her community is one in which her aspirations know no limits and she is free to fulfil her potential, to have equal opportunities, to decide her own future and empower those around her.

When girls are educated, empowered, healthy and free from violence and discrimination, their communities are more prosperous and stable.

How to build a Tippy Tap? Follow these steps...

HOW TO BUILD A TIPPY TAP

Poor hygiene is seen as one of the main causes of infections and diseases like diarrhoea. The frustrating thing is that some of these diseases are easily preventable, sometimes it all comes down to washing your hands properly. This is where the Tippy Tap swoops in to save the day.

Diarrhoea is one of the major global health problems and a leading cause of death in the world. In children under five, it is the second leading cause of death globally. It has negative economic and health ramifications and has long been proven to also have long-term effects, such as stunted growth and cognitive development. Diarrhoea is usually induced by different types of bacterial, viral and parasitic organisms that cause infections. And infections are mainly spread as a result of poor hygiene.

One of the simplest ways to prevent the spread of infections, such as diarrhoea, is simply handwashing with soap. But global handwashing rates are generally low, due to several factors that demote hygiene standards. Changing people’s handwashing and hygiene behaviour can be a challenging task. Additionally, many rural areas don’t have running water and lack relevant facilities. So although diarrhoea is a medical problem, it does not necessarily need a medical solution. Simple interventions can help solve issues like poor hygiene. One such intervention is the Tippy Tap.

The Tippy Tap is a low cost and simple outdoor device that allows people to wash their hands in areas where there is no piped water. Only using a small number of materials, this hands-free handwashing solution has also managed to improve hygiene awareness. It is operated by foot and therefore reduces bacterial transmission. Because all materials can be sourced locally, the Tippy Tap is inexpensive. It is also quite simple to build, so it can easily be assembled by children.

Research shows that, in combination with schooling on hygiene habits, the Tippy Tap is more effective than other interventions. Several studies confirm the positive impact this device had on communities. In communities that use the Tippy Tap, rates of handwashing with soap increased, especially in children. And follow up research has established that the hands-free taps are still being used months later.

Nkeza Foundation focuses on helping rural communities have access to clean water, decent toilets and hygiene. We therefore, challenge schools to be innovative and integrate Tippy Taps into their everyday life.

Below are steps on how Pupils in rural Schools can build a simple Tippy Tap.