The Privilege of Having a Bathroom Pass

Kevin Simone, Operations Support and Development Intern at Amman Imman's Bethesda, Maryland office, blogs about water for Blog Action Day:

Kevin at the Raising Clean Hands launch at AED

My name is Kevin Simone. This fall I am interning with nonprofit organization Amman Imman: Water is Life. We work to bring water to a remote part of Niger called the Azawak.   

As I work there I learn more and more about how hard it is for people to live without water, a resource that I believe most people take for granted.   

From health to sanitation and even livestock health, everything begins with a sustainable source of water. 

 

"Bathroom Pass" exhibit at AED in Washington DC through November 19

Recently, I have been exposed to how important water is to education in developing countries. From grade school through college, I never even thought about what it would be like without a bathroom or water fountain. In college there was at least ten of each in whatever school building I was in. 

Just thinking about this I realize that if I didn’t have a bathroom or water fountain in my school, I probably would not have learned anything in school, if I would have gone at all.  Can you imagine having to try to concentrate in school if you were thirsty and had to walk miles away just for the possibility of getting water?

I wouldn’t even last a day!

So, don’t forget to be thankful every time you use the bathroom at your house, at work, or at school.  There are some people who do not have this privilege. 

Kevin with Debbie (AI Associate Director) and his fellow interns at Bathroom Pass exhibit and the Raising Clean Hands launch

"Bathroom Pass: A Hands-On Exhibit On Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Schools"

at AED, 1875 Connecticut Avenue,  Washington, DC, through November 19, 2010. 

Every child has the right to safe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in their school. In this kid-friendly exhibit, visitors experience WASH in schools through the stories of four children from around the world: Adán, age 12 from Honduras; Mamisoa, age 10 from Madagascar; Nathan, age 17 from the United States; and, Sarita, age 15 from Nepal. 

Find out how WASH in schools ensures students reach their full potential.

For more information, please contact Zoe Plaugher, zplaugher@aed.org  or 202-884-8618.

The exhibit is free.

Location: AED | IDEA:EXCHANGE, corner of Connecticut Ave. & T St., 1875 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20009