HEALTH AND SANITATION 29 aleksandarlittlewolf | Freepik. com
Health suffers without access to clean drinking water.
I decided I needed to take action. I feel like even the smallest amount of help can make a huge difference in the lives of people struggling in these communities. My senior research paper was already bringing light to the ramifications around the lack of access to clean drinking water, but how could I use this to create some positive change?
In March 2024, I held a mother-daughter-grandmother art auction event to raise funds for Waves4Water water filtration systems, and with generous donations exceeding USD4 300, I will be bringing 120 water filters to our surgical programme in September in Madagascar, where I will be living for 10 weeks.
These water filters will provide every family we take care of with access to clean water. With education and village visits for follow-up, I will empower these families by the notion that if kept clean and cared for, each filter can provide upwards of 100 people access to clean water for five years. If I do my job, 12 000 Malagasy citizens may have a life of better health and a better perspective on their power to change the ecosystem in their communities.
The discrepancy between developed countries such as the United States and underdeveloped countries such as Madagascar is astonishing. We, citizens of the United States, constantly waste water without a second thought as to how fortunate we really are. On the other hand, the other 33 % of the world struggles to find a single glass of clean water for their families and struggle daily with this problem( World Health Organization). Water and sanitation are inalienable human rights because no human being can live without
them. Access to clean water and sanitation prevents illnesses, improves health, and ultimately, saves lives. PA
The Topic for the 2025 IWSH Essay Competition is: " Why should private sector companies invest in improved water and sanitation access?"
The competition is open to any student actively enrolled in a high school, community college, trade school, four-year accredited college or university, or working in an apprentice programme.
Submitted essays must be the completely original work of the submitter and a minimum of 1 000 words. The essay entry deadline is 23:59 on 30 April 2026, via email, fax or mail to IAPMO World Headquarters. The winning essay will be announced in September at the 2025 IAPMO Education and Business Conference in Palm Springs. The author of the essay awarded first prize will receive a USD2 000 scholarship and a one-year paid membership to IAPMO. Second- and third-place winners will receive a USD1 000 scholarship. All winning essays will also be published in Official – IAPMO’ s membership magazine.
Individuals who meet the qualifications to submit an essay to the competition should include your name and your school’ s or education / training organisation’ s name. All essays should be sent to Ms. Gabriella Davis at IAPMO by email to essay @ iwsh. org; by fax at( 909) 472 4222; or by standard mail to her attention at IAPMO, 4755 E. Philadelphia St., Ontario, CA, USA 91761.
November 2025 Volume 31 I Number 09 www. plumbingafrica. co. za