Improving community well-being in Bogale Township with clean water and sanitation

• Department of Basic Education, Department of Rural Development, and Lien AID handover water and sanitation services established through the Community Water Management programme to villager leaders and school administration from 5 villages and 2 schools
• 3,833 people have convenient and affordable access to sufficient drinking water during the dry season
• 168 students can spend more time in class and practice safe hygiene with access to improved latrines, handwashing facilities, and water supply in school
• Lien AID's Community Water Management programme targets 25,000 villagers and 2,000 students across 5 townships in the Ayeyarwady Region by 2020

24th October 2019, Ayeyarwady Region – Residents from 5 villages in Bogale township – Kun Pun, Lay Lone Kwe, Ma Ngeit Gyi, Maye Ywa Thit, The Chaung, took ownership of village water services established through Lien AID's Community Water Management programme during a handover ceremony held today at Bogale's City Hall. In addition, water and sanitation services established in 2 village schools in Lay Lone Kwe and Ma Ngeit Gyi were also handed over to local school administrators.

The ceremony was attended by Singapore's Deputy Chief of Mission and Counsellor to The Republic of the Union of Myanmar, Bogale Township Members of Parliament, Bogale Township Departments, village tract administrators, Lien AID, and many Doh Yay Heroes.

Speaking at the handover, Mr David Liang, Singapore's Deputy Chief of Mission and Counsellor to the Republic of the Union of Myanmar said, "We are pleased to partner Lien AID, the Bogale Township Department of Rural Development, and the Bogale Township Department of Basic Education, in bringing clean water and sanitation to households in the 5 villages, and students in 2 of the village schools, in Bogale township. This will help to improve the health and well-being of these communities. The co-funding of these projects under the Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sustainable Development Programme represent Singapore's continued commitment to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and particularly SDG 6 on clean water and sanitation for all."

The established community water services will alleviate dry season water shortages and greatly reduce the need for water rationing for 773 households across the 5 villages. 168 students will also benefit as they do not need to spend time collecting water during class and can practice safe sanitation and hygiene in school.

In late 2017, Lien AID launched the Community Water Management programme to empower local actors in Ayeyarwady to establish clean water and sanitation services, and manage water resources in their communities. By the end of the programme in 2020, more than 25,000 people across 35 villages and over 2,000 students from 20 village schools will benefit.

Apart from the Community Water Management programme, Lien AID is working on other projects and initiatives focused on supporting township stakeholders across Ayeyarwady to sustain and scale water and sanitation services, and promote safe hygiene behaviour, for the improved health and well-being of communities.

About Lien AID

Lien AID was founded in 2006 as a non-profit organisation committed to improving the health and well-being of at-risk communities in Asia by enabling sustainable access to clean water and sanitation. Lien AID acts as a convenor and catalyst for local leaders and sector practitioners, working collaboratively to build resilient local water and sanitation systems.

Since 2016, Lien AID has been working closely with the Myanmar government, non-profits, civil society organisations, community leaders, and grassroots groups, to improve access to clean water and sanitation.