Washing hands reduces infectious diseases in Nigerian village
Have you washed your hands?” the headmaster of a primary school in a village in northern Nigeria asked 160 children standing in line one morning before starting class. “Yes master!” answered the youthful, enthusiastic crowd. This daily ritual has become a game, said Sani Marafa, the headmaster at the school in Lokoto, a community of some 50 mud and brick houses 20 kilometres from Niger State’s capital, Minna. “The children weren’t used to washing their hands in the morning,” he explained. “They didn’t know the importance and benefit of using latrines.”
The East African/IRIN, February 25, 2008

Philippines - Marikina monument extols personal hygiene
At the very least, it makes people stop and stare. The unusual stone monument of a doctor standing 16 feet tall, washing the behind of a half-naked boy atop a toilet bowl, heralds a city’s successful sanitation and hygiene programs.
The Philippine Star/ABS-CBN News, February 21, 2008

SA on track to flush out bucket system
South Africa has almost met the Millennium Development Goal of halving the number of people who do not have proper sanitation, but there are still challenges to overcome, says Water Affairs and Forestry Minister Lindiwe Hendricks.
BuaNews Online, February 19, 2008

Families battle disease outbreaks as water crisis continues to hit camps
Kenya: Effects of post-election violence continue to hit hard at the camps where thousands of people are being sheltered. After experiencing problems of poor shelter and food rationing, displaced people within and outside the country are now facing disease outbreaks associated with poor diet and hygiene.
NationMedia.com, February 18, 2008

No excuses
Everyone knows what it’s like being caught short with no toilet in sight. While this may be out of the ordinary for many Developments readers, it is the daily reality for millions of people. In fact it’s much it's worse than that. Sanitation is vital for human health - contributes to dignity and social development - yet over half the population of developing countries have no access to any form of basic sanitation. That’s over two-fifths of the world’s population, including 980 million children.
Developments Magazine, February 2008

End Water Poverty: Sanitation and water for all
End Water Poverty is an international campaign that aims to bring an end to the global water and sanitation crisis. The coalition believes that the international effort on sanitation and water is in disarray. The site contains general information and resources, as well as news and events. In the “Take Action” section, you can view the film “The Stink Goes On” and sign an online petition which asks the G8 leaders to address the crisis in sanitation and water at their next summit in Japan.

www.endwaterpoverty.org

Game: Water Alert!
Developed by UNICEF Voices of Youth, “Water Alert!” is an interactive educational resource on water, environment and sanitation where young people are engaged in an adventure of strategy and survival. The goal is to ensure that the people in this drought-challenged village, who are facing the threat of a flood, have water that is safe to drink and a clean and healthy school environment. The game requires Flash 6 or higher.

www.unicef.org

Also, why not test your knowledge. Take the water, environment and sanitation quiz!

“The challenge faced today in the water and sanitation sector is also an opportunity, both from a social as well as an economic perspective. Properly addressed, this challenge has the possibility to unlock huge potential and to transform countless lives. Investments for safe water and sanitation can in their turn, be an engine for accelerated economic growth, sustainable development, improved health and reduced poverty.”
Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, March 2006