The UN estimates that billions of people worldwide still lack access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene. Stoking this wildfire of inequity are accelerants like water scarcity, regional conflicts, and climate change. Moreover, in many countries, water pollution poses a grave risk to both human health and the environment.
Despite some progress on its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the UN reported last year that over two billion people lacked adequate drinking water services; over three billion lacked safely managed sanitation services; and nearly two billion lacked basic hygiene services.
Thus, uplifting the quality of life of the impoverished worldwide and achieving parity in access to clean water, adequate sanitation, and proper hygiene will require countries to redouble their efforts on a massive scale if they are to achieve SDGs 3 and 6 specifically.
At Quest International University (QIU), befitting our role as a socially responsible and progressive institute of higher learning, we take great pride in our extensive track record of giving back to the community and embarking on initiatives designed to supplement national efforts towards achieving the SDGs.
The most recent demonstration of our commitment was the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WaSH) programme organised by the university’s SDG Steering Committee and Faculty of Medicine (FoM) in collaboration with the Global Environment Centre (GEC) – a renowned non-profit working on environmental issues of global importance with like-minded agencies worldwide.
The half-day programme took place on 11 November in Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Tonggang, Ulu Kinta, Perak. Aimed at the children of the area aged between 9 and 12, it sought to promote awareness of proper hygiene, and health and wellness practices among the locals.
Student volunteers from FoM engaged the eager crowd with demonstrations of brushing one’s teeth properly and the right way to wash hands. Later, they ushered the children to a nearby toilet to practise what they’d just learned. They also taught the boys to shave and the girls to use sanitary pads. At the end of the programme, souvenirs were exchanged between the village leaders and QIU-GEC to commemorate the occasion.
Bravo, QIU academics and students, for continuing our proud tradition of community service and bringing the light of knowledge to those in the dark about their universal rights. Your compassion for your fellow man and the planet is an inspiration to us all!
