Who: Taslima Akter
Location: Sabrang Union, Teknaf Upazila, Cox’s Bazar District
Occupation: Student
Age: 20
Until Last year, we used to drink the water available in our area directly. In this area, we easily found water 15 to 20 feet deep under the ground. We thought the water was safe, as it seemed clean and smelled okay. But we had doubts as well because we used to get infected by water-borne diseases like cholera, diarrhea, and worm. I still remember that most of my family members had severe diarrhea a few years before. We had to take saline and medicines. It costs more than 3000 taka for the medication and doctor fees. It was hard for a low-income family like us to bear the expenses.
Everything went wrong until we found HYSAWA. Last year we learned that HYSAWA, a WASH agency, provides water filters to rural families with safe water crises. We described our family’s circumstances to Kamrun Nahar, the Community Organizer of HYSAWA and requested her to help us get an HYSAWA filter. And then she helped us to get a Sawyer Filter from HYSAWA.
After using the filter, we get 100% safe water to drink. Now I and all of my family members only drink filtered water. As a result, now we are safe from the water-borne diseases we have suffered before.
On the other hand, we also get benefits from HYSAWA by joining the Hygiene Promotion Sessions arranged by their Community Organizers and Volunteers. We learn how to remain safe from diseases by following simple hygiene rules.
Now my family and I are happy to lead a healthy & better life. We are so grateful to HYSAWA. Long live HYSAWA and their staff.
Case study collected by Mostafa Mohammad Tahan, Media & Communication Officer, HYSAWA, March 2022.