Water & Environment

Rusken Charitable Foundation implements various environmental health programs, focusing on reducing death and diseases caused by poor sanitation, inadequate water supply, unsafe hygiene practices and vector-borne diseases such as malaria. In every community where it works, Rusken Charitable Foundation strives to improve access to safe water and proper sanitation facilities and ensures that its beneficiaries understand the importance of practicing proper hygiene and having safe water sources: Rainwater catchments: Rusken Charitable Foundation has worked with local partners and communities to provide new water catchment facilities including boreholes. These have been of enormous benefit to women in particular, who bear the burden of cleaning and looking after children. Much time and effort is saved gathering water, as natural sources can often be some distance from dwellings. Public, household and institutional latrines/Solid waste management: Rusken Charitable Foundation supports construction of latrines. These latrines have succeeded in elevating hygiene levels within villages and schools. Reports indicate that the risk of disease, such as diarrhoea among children, has decreased. Natural water sources are also less contaminated from open defecation. Behaviour change: Rusken Charitable Foundation runs continuous health and hygiene promotion activities and disseminates IEC (Information, Education and Communication) materials in all projects. Rusken Charitable Foundation conducts continuing education sessions throughout program areas. These interactive sessions teach community members about essential behaviours (such as correct hand washing techniques and latrine use) which can reduce disease and promote good health. Manuals, posters and billboards in local languages reinforce the information given in education sessions about how diseases are commonly spread. Local artisans/tradesmen and villagers have been deeply involved in constructing latrines and rainwater catchments including boreholes. This leads to the community having a greater sense of ownership and vested interest in maintaining their new facilities.