ACF’s WaSH programs and projects support the belief that water, sanitation and hygiene issues must be addressed simultaneously. ACF incorporates WaSH education into its education and public health programs and develops and implements supportive village infrastructure.
Goals and Objectives
- Promote WaSH Practices
- Healthy Waste Management
- Reduce Morbidity and Mortality r/t Diarrheal Illness
- Universal Access to Clean Water
- Safe Management of Sanitation Services
- Pollution and Toxin Education
Projects
- Laundry Wash Stations & River Revitalization
- Community Refuse and Recycling Program
- Potable Water Access to Individual Homes
- Public Market Bathroom
- Public Fountain
- WaSH workshops
Highlighted Project – Laundry Wash Stations and River Revitalization
In partnership with Montana State University School of Architecture and local leaders and craftsmen ACF built two village laundry wash stations.
This project has succeeded in:
- restoration of river quality
- providing women with an ergonomic option for washing laundry
- maintaining the social tradition that washing provides to women
- cleaning of gray water with bioswales
The Ahansal River is the principal source of water for every village in the region and has been used for drinking, irrigation, and washing of laundry for centuries. The source of the river is a large volume natural spring in the village of Taghia. The water at the spring has tested clean, however, the river becomes more and more contaminated as it passes through each community and point of usage. Hence, the region has experienced a loss of aquatic life in a river that was once abundant with fish. The lack of fish in the community resulted in a loss of natural resource, loss of trade and tradition and affected the diets of the general population. After the wash stations were installed, we saw a resurgence of fish and other aquatic life.
Highlighted Project – Community Refuse and Recycling Program
In 2013, ACF collaborated with Montana State University School of Architecture, local community leaders and craftsmen to design and build a community refuse oven. This project is providing the first ever garbage disposal system for the region and its 15,000 inhabitants.
The project has succeeded in:
- providing waste disposal for two villages and a regional market area
- reducing air and land pollution in the villages
- educating children on disposing of garbage in the garbage cans not on the ground
- increasing awareness on the health dangers of toxic garbage materials
- educating locals on the importance of sorting garbage
- providing the local government with a sustainable waste disposal project
Since completion, the local association and local government have adopted the program. ACF continues oversight of the maintenance and operation of the Community Refuse Program.