Clean Water and Sanitation Access
The Crisis of Water and Sanitation in Cameroon
Access to clean water and proper sanitation is still a distant dream for millions of people in Cameroon. In rural and underserved urban areas, families rely on contaminated water sources and lack basic hygiene facilities, which leads to a high prevalence of waterborne diseases and poor health outcomes. At Haicam.org, we believe that safe drinking water and decent sanitation are fundamental human rights and the cornerstone of health, dignity, and development.
This article outlines Haicam’s commitment to solving the water and sanitation crisis in Cameroon, the challenges faced, our community-based approach, and how you can help us create lasting change.
Why Clean Water Matters: Health, Dignity, and Opportunity
Clean water access is not just about hydration—it’s about saving lives and enabling communities to thrive. Unsafe water and poor sanitation lead to diarrhoea, cholera, and typhoid, which are among the leading causes of death in children under five in Cameroon.
Key facts:
- Over 40% of Cameroonians lack access to safe drinking water.
- Nearly 60% of people do not have access to improved sanitation facilities.
- Women and girls bear the brunt, often walking miles daily to fetch water, losing time for education and income generation.
Haicam’s goal is to reduce these statistics by delivering community-driven water solutions and educating locals on the importance of sanitation and hygiene practices.
Sanitation in Cameroon: A Silent Emergency
Sanitation is often neglected in development conversations, yet it is equally critical as water. Open defecation, inadequate toilets, and poor waste disposal practices pose major health risks and contribute to environmental degradation.
Haicam.org recognizes this silent emergency and implements the following interventions:
- Constructing eco-friendly, gender-sensitive latrines in schools and villages.
- Running hygiene education campaigns to promote handwashing and menstrual hygiene.
- Training local health workers and community leaders on sanitation best practices.
By tackling both clean water and sanitation simultaneously, we create a comprehensive public health solution.
Our Approach: Community-Led and Sustainable Solutions
At Haicam, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Every community is unique, and we work hand-in-hand with local leaders to design and implement projects tailored to their specific needs.
Our approach includes:
- Needs assessment surveys with local input.
- Building and rehabilitating boreholes, wells, and water filtration systems.
- Training local maintenance teams to ensure sustainability.
- Partnering with schools and health clinics to ensure institutional support.
This community-first model ensures that water systems and sanitation facilities are owned, understood, and maintained by those who use them daily.
Women, Water, and Empowerment
Women and girls are disproportionately affected by the lack of clean water and sanitation access. Fetching water is time-consuming and physically exhausting, and the absence of private toilets in schools can cause girls to drop out during menstruation.
Haicam’s programs are designed with gender inclusion at their core:
- Engaging women in the planning and leadership of water committees.
- Installing safe and private sanitation facilities in schools.
- Providing menstrual hygiene education and reusable kits.
When women have access to clean water and sanitation, they gain time, dignity, and the ability to participate in economic and educational opportunities.
School-Based WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) Programs
Children cannot learn effectively if they’re sick or lack clean drinking water and hygiene facilities. That’s why Haicam.org prioritizes schools in our water and sanitation projects.
Our WASH programs include:
- Installing handwashing stations and safe water storage units.
- Training teachers to include hygiene education in the curriculum.
- Creating school WASH clubs that encourage student involvement.
These programs not only improve health but also boost school attendance and academic performance.
Climate Change and Water Scarcity
Cameroon faces increasing climate variability, including droughts and floods, which affect water availability and quality. Climate change exacerbates existing inequalities in water and sanitation access.
Haicam addresses these environmental challenges by:
- Promoting climate-resilient water technologies, like solar-powered pumps.
- Teaching water conservation and rainwater harvesting techniques.
- Advocating for climate adaptation policies at local and national levels.
Our goal is to ensure that communities are equipped to deal with both present and future water challenges.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Impact
We believe in transparency, accountability, and measurable impact. Every water source or sanitation facility we build is tracked, maintained, and monitored for long-term results.
Haicam’s impact metrics include:
- Number of people with new or improved water access.
- Reduction in waterborne illnesses.
- Increase in school attendance, especially among girls.
- User satisfaction and functionality rates of water systems.
These evaluations help us refine our approach and share lessons with partners and donors.
How You Can Help
Your support can change lives. Here’s how you can contribute to clean water and sanitation projects in Cameroon:
- Donate to fund water wells, sanitation facilities, and hygiene kits.
- Sponsor a school or village project.
- Partner with us as a business or organization.
- Volunteer your time or skills.
- Share our mission on social media to raise awareness.
Every pound, dollar, or franc brings us closer to a world where no one drinks dirty water or lacks a toilet.
Success Stories: Transforming Lives One Drop at a Time
In the village of Bambili, Haicam installed a solar-powered borehole, providing clean drinking water for over 3,000 residents. Before the project, women walked 4km daily to fetch water from a polluted stream. Now, water is available year-round, and school attendance has increased by 22%.
In Nkolbisson, our sanitation project built 10 gender-segregated toilets at a local school and trained students on hygiene best practices. Teachers report a significant drop in illness-related absences.
These stories remind us that access to water is access to life, hope, and opportunity.
Join Us in Creating a Healthier, More Just World
Clean water and sanitation access is foundational to health, education, gender equality, and sustainable development. At Haicam.org, we are on the frontlines of solving this crisis in Cameroon—but we can’t do it alone.
With your support, we can scale our efforts and reach more communities in need. Let’s work together to ensure that no child has to drink dirty water, no woman has to walk miles for a bucket, and no community is left behind.
Visit Haicam.org to learn more or get involved today.