Last week Nina Miller from Water for People, a Denver based NGO, gave a presentation to DU students on water sanitation in Third World countries and how it affects their economic struggles.
“It all trickles down,” said Nina Miller, the community outreach manager. “If we can solve water sanitation, things within the entire sector will improve.”
After observing cultures where water sanitation was worst, it was discovered that the source of the problem was where the people were choosing to relieve themselves.
A single place used as a toilet was more sanitary than multiple sites.
“We call them ‘Flying Toiletes.’ People go to the bathroom in a paper bag, throw it away somewhere and the contents seep into the ground infecting the water,” said Miller.
Water for People specializes in designing sanitation systems whereby villagers are able to have designated bathroom facilities, learn personal hygiene that accompanies restroom use and then put their refuse to good use as fertilizer for crops.
“You can see how it would affect everything,” said Miller. “It’s brilliant.”
The success rate of water projects is dismal.
It’s around 65 percent according to Miller. However; the aim of Water for People is to create sustainability through incorporating all the available resources already present in the project-site villages, and nothing more. Projects are designed to be foolproof and culturally sound so that the work is not reversed when the water experts leave.
“We want to leave with them barely knowing that we are gone,” said Miller, who emphasized the importance of working with local businesses and workers to supply tools for the production and maintenance of the latrines. “This is also strengthening their economy.”
Those global health students who attended were primarily those involved in the newly established Sant?, a student group interested in addressing issues of global health.
Sant? is open to all students in any year, but is particularly of interest to those earning their global health certificates from the Graduate School of International Studies.
“We’re not exclusive,” said Kate Bagshaw, an officer of Sant?. “We have presentations about everything from holistic self-care to quarantine.”
One component of Miller’s visit to DU was to inspire students to take action and consider participating in a water sanitation project.
Water for People is nearly entirely run by volunteers. Without volunteers, Water for People projects would cease to exist.
If you are interested in learning more about Water for People, or would like to join the Sant? list-serve, go to www.waterforpeople.com or http://portfolio.du.edu/sante
