Saturday, March 16, 2013

Healthy water


Access to healthy water:

Having access to healthy water is very important to me because it provides nutrients for the body. It also allows the brain to function better and it helps get rid of things the body doesn’t need. I just began a no soda and water only diet and I love the results. I feel refreshed and my skin has never felt so clean. Having access to clean water gives me a clear free mind about the water I intake. Having clean water affects children in a major way  without access to healthy water alot of children will be unable to function properly.

Access to healthy water in Africa:

 Africa issue with clean water and access to adequate sanitation are widespread. Young children die from dehydration and malnutrition, results of suffering from diarrhea illnesses that could be prevented by clean water and good hygiene (Metwally, Ibrahim, Saad, & Abu El-Ela, 2006). Diseases such as cholera are spread rampantly during the wet season. Women and young girls, who are the major role-players in accessing and carrying water, are prevented from doing income-generating work or attending school, as the majority of their day is often spent walking miles for their daily water needs.

After reading about the issues in Africa, I am so grateful for the things I do have. Every day we take for granted the small things such as taking 15-20 minute showers. We should all do our part and help Africa to get access to clean water so they can experience some of the luxuries we have.

World Health Organization. (2006). Meeting the MDG drinking water and sanitation target: the urban and rural challenge of the decade. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/monitoring/jmpfinal.pdf

3 comments:

  1. I would agree that we are blessed to have access to water and clean water at that. After visiting Guatemala a few years ago, we were told not to drink any of the water there, nor should we even brush our teeth in it. We were able to take a shower in it but that was all. I will never forget going to a child's house that lived in the village where I worked and her offering me a glass of water. I felt so bad having to say no thank you. This water to them was fine, but to us, could make us very sick. Thank you for the information that you shared regarding the water situatio in Africa. I think that we should help these countries with their water situation if at all possible. It is water and everyone should have access to healthy water.

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  2. We are definitely fortunate to have clean water at our fingertips. How crazy we as a society become when the electricity goes out and we can't use water freely! A friend brought the issue of water in Africa to my attention a few years ago. Since then I have always been conscious of turning off the faucet when I brush my teeth as well as taking a minimal time in the shower. I remember a German exchange student at my parents' house would turn the shower on and off the entire time he was showering. We asked him why and he said they do it to conserve water at home in Germany. It's the little things we do that can make a difference!

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  3. Angela, thank you for sharing you thoughts and ideas. I wish you luck in all your endeavors.

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