WASH - water, sanitation and hygiene

In Tanzania less than 10% of all schools have functioning hand washing facilities to enable children to maintain their personal hygiene. Only 38% of schools have an adequate number of latrines and only 20% of schools have a water supply within the school premises. Due to a lack of education and poor toilet facilities school children in these regions face health risks from preventable illnesses such as diarrhea, worms and urinary infections. School water, sanitation and hygiene projects (SWASH) work towards creating access to toilet and washing facilities to reduce these illnesses and save lives. 

I photographed 8 WASH projects throughout Tanzania in various stages of completion, from the early stages of a project where the bricks are being made, to a completed project where the toilet blocks are now being used by school children. I also photographed hygiene classes and action days where local communities were mobilised to assist with the project, whilst teaching them safe hygiene practices.