I chose having access to healthy water to be the most meaningful to me because it is the foundation to all development. Regardless of the type of environment in which you live, having clean water is essential to good health, good hygiene, sanitation, and the prevention of diseases as well as death. Since bacteria in water can't be seen it can't be avoided. Although there is harmless bacteria as well as deadly bacteria, the lack of a good water system means each glass of dirty drinking water is a potential killer. With out clean water, children are susceptible to diseases due to their immature immune system, adults don't have energy to work, those affected by waterborne illnesses can spread diseases to others, those caring for the sick can't produce income, and money meant to be spent on other necessities must be spent on medicine. Thus, having unhealthy water negatively affects the entire community.
In Africa, one of the greatest causes of poverty is the lack of access to clean drinking water. The people there can't grow food, build housing, stay healthy, stay in school, or keep working. Without clean water, the possibility of breaking out of the cycle of poverty is very slim. Many members of the village have to walk miles away from their village to gather clean water. Once gathered they must carry 40 to 70 pounds of water 3 hours every day. Imagine how devastating the outcome will be when those people become physically unable to take that long journey on a daily basis?
Good topic, although lack of good water is not a general problem in Africa. But we are getting better. cheers
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