Sanitation/Health and Hygiene

In Singla, in this remote area the people have no possibility to live in a healthy, sanitary area with toilets or other facilities of a minimum hygiene standard. There is not a single toilet in the entire village.

There is no running water; people therefore get the water they need from small fountains outdoors. Here, the people wash all materials, clothes and body, hair etc. In the houses is no water or toilet, only one room for cooking and sleeping (in the same room).

Cooking is done in a hole on the floor and firewood from the nearby forests is used to cook. To cook with firewood on the floor causes a lot of eyes problems. Due to the altitude and poor living conditions, a lot of people have runny noses and eyes and problems with chronic cold. Headaches, digestive problems, arthritis in the knees and other oral infections (mouth, fingers, legs etc.) are all very common as well.

All kids from Singla are born naturally at home without the help of a doctor or nurse. One family have about 6 – 9 kids. When the people have health problems, injuries etc. they have 2 possibilities: They ask a shaman in the village for help or they walk about 4-6 hours one way to the next first health-post in Gunda.

In the area of Sanitation, Health and Hygiene, our goals are to:

• Built 4-5 toilets in the village
• Water regulation and separate the water for animals and people, and make running water available throughout the year
• One health post in Singla with regular staff nurse for first aid, family planning, personal hygiene etc. We wish to support the people of Singla in their daily lives and give them a chance to enjoy some of the basic facilities we take for granted.