Lack of access to clean water puts lives at risk in communities around the world. The global figure of people who have no access to safely managed drinking water or sanitation services is in the billions. This week, pray for funding, awareness and opportunities to see lives changed.
Sunday 9 August
People living with incontinence are often a marginalised group within a community. When an armed conflict, natural disaster, epidemic or famine hits, additional support is essential to maintain healthy hygiene practices and meet additional laundry needs. Pray that hygiene products will be available to support dignity.
Monday 10 August
In Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh, members of the Rohingya community live in camps, having fled from their homes in Myanmar. Access to safe water and sanitation is essential. Pray that Tearfund’s partners in Bangladesh will provide more clean water, toilets, washing facilities and a treatment facility to safely process human waste.
Tuesday 11 August
As part of hygiene promotion activities, volunteers from Cox’s Bazar raise awareness through door-to-door visits. Praise God that this initiative is reaching women who rarely go outside and attend public events. ‘As I learnt the symptoms of dengue fever from the hygiene promotion session,’ Halima says, ‘I took my child to the hospital and, after proper treatment, my child recovered.’
Wednesday 12 August
The toilets at Mankuay Primary School in South Sudan collapsed. Before Tearfund intervened, pupils and teachers were heading into the bushes to relieve themselves. This fuelled a cycle of waterborne diseases, pupils not going to school and badly affected adolescent girls, leading to high dropout rates. Pray for the protection of the health and education of children in South Sudan.
Thursday 13 August
Praise God that, thanks to funding, Tearfund began a full water and sanitation programme at Mankuay Primary School. Consultations with the head teacher, staff and pupils confirmed the need for structural improvements and hygiene promotion. Lukudu, Tearfund’s WASH Programme Manager in South Sudan, explained, ‘Such a strategy enables us to address both the physical means and the behavioural changes necessary for better public health outcomes.’
Friday 14 August
‘Pupils are now excited to no longer use the bush for defecation, and diarrhoea cases have reduced significantly,’ says Met Dak, Head Teacher at Mankuay Primary School. Lord, we thank you that through your provision, the lives of children and teachers have been transformed. Amen.
Saturday 15 August
Pray for Tearfund’s teams providing water and sanitation facilities and encouraging the adoption of healthy hygiene behaviours. Ask that they would have the wisdom, strength and resources required, and that the communities they work with would engage well, leading to their health and wellbeing flourishing.
