TV chef and WaterAid ambassador Nadiya Hussain MBE last month launched the international charity’s ‘Where there’s water’ winter appeal, helping raise vital funds to turn on the taps in communities in Malawi and around the world and build a brighter future.
The mother of three, who has supported WaterAid since 2016, saw first-hand the impact a lack of clean water can have on families during her childhood trips to visit her grandparents in Bangladesh. She’s said remembering the trips leaves her ‘in disbelief but better equipped’ to teach her children about the global water crisis and how they can work towards a better world together.
Nearly one in ten people around the world do not have clean water close to home and without it a ripple of problems can occur. Women and children spend hours collecting dirty water, often missing out on school or the chance to earn a living, and families can lose loved ones to deadly diseases like cholera.
But the ripple can go both ways. Where there’s water children can go to school, businesses can thrive, and communities can live free from the constant threat of disease.
Nadiya Hussain, cook, author and TV presenter said:
“Having clean water at home is so essential, it’s easy to take it for granted. But for the one in ten people across the world who don’t have clean water close to home, even simple things like pouring a glass of water, preparing food, or having a shower are an everyday challenge.
“Worldwide, women and girls spend 200 million hours every day collecting water. Precious time is wasted walking for water instead of focussing on schoolwork; days are spent sick or caring for family fighting waterborne diseases instead of earning a living.
“Every mother wants to give their children the best opportunities in life. No one should have to worry about putting their family at risk while doing something as essential as using water. This is why I’m helping launch WaterAid’s ‘Where there’s water’ appeal, because where there’s water there’s good health; where there’s water, there’s opportunity; where there’s water, there’s a way.”
In Malawi, almost one in three people lack clean water close to home. As a result, families spend on average 55 minutes per day collecting water.
But in Chinganji, southern Malawi, young sisters Fanny and Merifa no longer have to wake up extra early before school to collect dirty water as they have had a water tap installed nearby. Now they have time to study at school and do what they really love: singing. They have also set up their own business making samosas to sell, helping provide an income for her family.
Merifa, 15, can now enjoy her hobbies and has time to think about her studies and future:
“We have seen a big difference now that we have tap water near us, because we’re spending most of our time studying instead of going to draw water. Our grades have improved.
“Because we know that the water is near our home, we can go draw water and still have enough time to make our samosas and also go for choir practice. We go to choir practice three days a week. We really love it. We learn a lot when we go to choir practice. We want to hone our skills and develop our talent.”
To help turn on the taps for more families in Chinganji and around the world, support WaterAid’s ‘Where there’s water’ appeal this winter at www.wateraid.org and find out how where there’s water there’s a way.
