Clean water is Essential for a child's healthy growth and development. Fluoridation helps maintain a healthy weight, reduces the risk of developing certain chronic diseases, and helps prevent tooth decay.
According to the US-based company, water itself is considered an essential nutrient because the body requires more water than it can produce. All biochemical reactions occur in water, which fills the spaces within and between cells and helps form the structures of large molecules such as proteins and glycogen.
Unfortunately, South Africa lacks water and is rated as the 30th driest country in the world, while its population is growing rapidly. This is based on an average annual rainfall of 500 mm, compared to a global average of 860 mm.
In addition to unpredictable rainfall and common periods of drought that limit water resources, South Africa also faces major challenges from aging and inadequate water infrastructure, leaving some communities without access to drinking water. has little or no access.
This is according to Karl Müller, operations manager at the Tiger Brand Foundation (TBF).A child's health and development depend on proper hydration, which regulates body temperature and transports nutrients and oxygen to cells. , points out that it removes waste products and supports vital organs.
He says using clean and safe water for cooking and food preparation is essential as using unclean and unsafe water can lead to many deadly diseases. Therefore, to ensure food safety, it is of utmost importance to take necessary measures to prevent various harmful diseases that can occur with contaminated water.
TBF's long-running in-school breakfast program currently serves nutritious breakfasts to 74,080 learners every day in 98 schools across all nine states across the country. Since its establishment, TBF has provided 132.5 million meals (as of March 2023).
An important social safety net
“We cannot prepare breakfast at school without an adequate supply of clean water. This program provides many children from vulnerable communities with the only nutritious meal of the day. “It's an important social safety net,” says Müller.
“This is also an important intervention aimed at improving children's learning ability by combating malnutrition, reducing hunger and improving school attendance.”
He points out that while efforts are being made to bring widespread education to many poor communities in South Africa, lack of adequate water and sanitation remains prevalent in these areas. In water-scarce and disadvantaged areas, students often fail to complete their education due to a lack of water and sanitation in schools.
“Just as a balanced and nutritious diet is one of the most effective means of addressing the problem of learner dropout, we must start thinking about access to clean water in the same way. “The lack of access to clean water has a significant impact on students' academic performance and attendance,” says Muller.
“The reason is that without access to clean drinking water, students are at risk of getting sick from water-borne diseases, cannot concentrate for long periods of time due to dehydration, and lack of sanitation facilities means that students cannot maintain proper hygiene standards. This is because we are often unable to maintain clean water.”
Additionally, they point out that schools cannot provide programs if they cannot provide water to students, staff and their families. This also affects the educational system, limiting opportunities for growth and development.
“Apart from education, reliable water sources are essential for growing crops to feed households, ensure stable livelihoods, and generate income for other nutritional necessities. However, with accelerating climate change, , access to water becomes increasingly unpredictable, resulting in more frequent and severe droughts and floods,” says Müller.
“Mismanagement of water resources can lead to water scarcity and pollution, which can impair a child's ability to grow and develop. Therefore, recognizing the role water plays in young child nutrition, It is important to seek guidance on how to minimize the risk and maximize the returns of your investment.”
Inadequate water quantity or quality leads to health problems, especially dehydration and diarrhea, as well as associated infections. Contaminated water can act as a vector for waterborne diseases such as cholera and typhoid fever, causing transmission from infected people to others. A recent cholera outbreak in Tshwane was linked to the poor state of water and sanitation services in the Hammanskraal area.
“Improving access to water and sanitation facilities in schools can prevent diseases caused by contaminated water and promote education. Access to adequate toilets and clean drinking water can improve school enrollment rates. and dropout rates. This in turn improves the economy by creating a more educated population, leading to better economic development in the future,” concludes Müller. .
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