VIETNAM, Lam's and Quyen's Story
Lam and Quyen are both shorter than they should be for their eight years. The reason is simple: poor sanitation.
Lam and Quyen live in Minh Luong, in the northern province of Phu Tho in Viet Nam. Lam is the son of the Commune People's Committee Chairman. Quyen's parents grow rice and tea.
Both boys fell victim to intestinal parasitic infections ("worms") caused by unclean conditions. They are far from being alone: according to Government statistics, levels of such infections are as high as 97 per cent! These infections contribute to high levels of protein-energy malnutrition, which is what stunted (slowed) Lam's and Quyen's growth.
But Lam and Quyen were lucky. It used to be common for children in Minh Luong to die of water-related diseases. "I gave birth to nine children," says Vit, who is now a grandmother in her 60s, "but only three survived. Six died from silly diseases like diarrhea or measles that today you can prevent with good hygiene, care and medicine."
Many children still become ill, mainly because they are malnourished. But at least the children and villagers of Minh Luong now have information on how to prevent disease and how to build and use a sanitary latrine.
"Washing your hands after you use a latrine is very important," Lam says, "otherwise you can end up with worms." Both Lam's and Quyen's families have built improved pit latrines in their houses. In fact, of the 560 households in Minh Luong, 554 now have latrines designed to standards recommended by UNICEF.
Despite continued efforts by Government and international agencies, overall sanitation coverage in Viet Nam remains low. Probably fewer than 30 per cent of rural households have access to a latrine that meets UNICEF's design standards, and even fewer know how to use latrines hygienically.
But the results of projects like that in Minh Luong give hope for the future. The residents of Minh Luong are delighted with their improved facilities, and even more delighted with the health benefits they bring. Vit displays a certificate given her by village workers, which outlines what type of latrine she has, what its benefits are, and how she is to maintain it. "Of course, now I want a proper bathroom to go with my new latrine," Vit says. "What do you say to that?"
