Good food and nutrition is very important for children to perform at their best in schools. There is, however, a bigger problem that affects them which is simpler and should cost less than a completely balanced meal: water and dehydration.

Dehydration affects millions of children worldwide. Some may be due to neglect, but in a lot of cases, dehydration is due to limited access for drinking water in schools. In fact, in the Philippines, more than 7,000 primary schools have no steady water source. Based on studies, dehydration leads to loss of body weight and as much as 10% cognitive decline. Dehydrated students are prone to fatigue and dizziness, can have poor concentration, and will most likely not perform well in both academic and physical activities in school.

This is a serious problem since water intake also affects absorption of nutrients by the body. Prolonged dehydration can lead to stunted growth and higher levels of malnutrition. This is the reason why access to safe drinking water is highly valued in schools. The reality, however, is that some schools do not have the right infrastructure or funding to make water available and free to their students.

GiftingLife, an initiative focused on sustainability and CSR, probed a few schools in the Philippines to look into the status of safe drinking water in communities where there is a water crisis. This video gives a preview to this problem:

Given their state, both students and teachers try to find any means to get access to drinking water. Teachers even use their own money to buy drinking water for their students, and parents spend as much as 75% more than the average cost for drinking water compared to water for general use. It is highly notable that schools with this condition belong to poor communities, thus, provision for water is quite a burden for them. Nonetheless, parents, teachers, and school administrators strive to find means to provide water for their students. This is a very vital part of nutrition and should be achieved at all costs.

What we can do to help

As said, the solution can be very simple: use WHO-accredited technology to filter available water from almost any sources. Rain, rivers, lakes, creeks, and even unfiltered tap can be easily converted to water that is free from turbidity, bacteria, viruses, and other contaminants. This is the focus of SAFE WATER FOR CHILDREN by GiftingLife. Learn more of it from this link

Do you know of any communities that can benefit from safe water solutions? Let us know! We are excited to work with you in bringing sustainable development. To help achieve clean and safe drinking water for all, send us an email at giftinglife@force21.cwtlimited.com

Liezel Salera
Assistant Manager
Community Outreach and Development