Teaching Kids to Give a Crap

Diarrheal disease kills an estimated 1.8 million people each year, the majority of whom are under five years of age - accounting for approximately 20% of all deaths for children under five. The majority of these deaths are occurring between the ages of six months and three years of age. Lack of safe water contributes significantly to the high incidence of diarrheal disease and chronic malnutrition in Guatemala. Parasites, transferred by waterborne contamination, consume nutrients, aggravate malnutrition, retard children’s physical development and result in poor school attendance and performance. Our goal through this research is to educate children in Guatemala, mainly villages that do not have proper water filtration, on the importance for clean water and how safe water keeps them healthy. Teaching these children the basics of how a Bio Sand filter works and the proper way to use the filter. We expect that our approach will improve the knowledge of wellness, ultimately improving health and possibly saving lives