Last year, eleven-year-old African entrepreneur Gideon and his family and neighbors in a small village in Uganda struggled with frequent illnesses. He would miss school or his mother and father would have to give up days of working in the home and their small family farm because they were sick or caring for others. Many of these illnesses were due to the village’s lack of access to safe water, sanitation, and knowledge of healthy hygiene behaviors (WASH). Most days, Gideon was able to attend school in his community but many children were not as fortunate.
Then an investor came along. Water For Good began working in Gideon’s school last year, helping to establish a WASH Club. The Club is comprised of students who put their talents to work to spread the news peer-to-peer about healthy WASH behaviors.
Gideon learned a lot. He learned about the importance of using a latrine, washing hands with soap, and keeping dishes clean. He brought this knowledge home to his family and quickly persuaded them all to try these new habits. His mother saw immediate improvements and became a WASH Facilitator in their community and began teaching her neighbors about sanitation and hygiene.
Gideon learned how to build a latrine cover, a dish drying rack, and a tippy-tap – a simple, low-cost handwashing device that uses very little water. He built all of these for his family. He built them really well. So well, in fact, that his neighbors noticed his workmanship.
Once Gideon’s family received a Healthy Home certification, the neighbors followed suit, hiring Gideon to build their tippy-taps and drying racks as well. Now he has a small business doing this for his entire community. This young entrepreneur walks with an air of confidence that comes from a job well done and a hopeful future.
The investment in Gideon and his community will pay dividends for years to come. As for Gideon’s dividends for his business? “He buys books and supplies for school,” says his mother.
