TRANS-BOUNDARY Water for Biodiversity and Human Health is one of the five Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme initiatives that is being implemented by CARE International in Tanzania funded by USAID in the Mara River Basin, a report from CARE has revealed.

During implementation of the five-year project initiative in Serengeti district, whose life span elapsed last year, some 19,139 people, who included 10,348 women and 8,791 men, accessed improved hygiene and sanitation services and products.

In addition, the project initiative has been able to create awareness on Integrated Water Resources Management, Hygiene and Sanitation for 1,804 people, of which 801 were women while the remaining 1,004 were men, the report indicated. It added that Sanitation coverage in Serengeti district has been increased from 21.5 to 32 per cent.

The goal of the programme initiative was to implement a coordinated and highly participatory project intended to improve water resource management in ways that reduce and mitigate threats to biodiversity in the Mara River Basin and Mara-Serengeti eco-region while enhancing the health and livelihoods of communities living in the basin.

Meanwhile, WASH Support for Albino Children in Mwanza and Shinyanga regions, which was funded by UNICEF, has proved to be a success story in Misungwi District Council in Mwanza region and Shinyanga Municipal Council.

Some 1,139 pupils and 60 teachers from Mtindo Primary Scholl as well as 936 pupils from Buhangija Primary School in Shinyanga Municipality benefitted.The report mentioned those services as improved ventilation, improved pit latrines, hand washing facilities that protect Albino pupils from the effects of sunshine that could be detrimental to their health.

CARE International in Tanzania is an international non-governmental organization involved in development activities with the primary aim of addressing the underlying causes of poverty and social injustices among rural communities in Tanzania.

Care Tanzania, in its ten-year strategic Plan (2010 - 2020) intends to work with allies, including the government ministries and local government authorities, to contribute to the empowerment of marginalized and vulnerable women and girls in rural under served and environmentally restricted areas to enable them live healthy, secure and sustainable lives.