Education is a critical component of ascending from poverty. But, lack of access to clean water decreases attendance rates. Children are sometimes the primary water gatherer for their family. Time that would otherwise be spent in school is instead spent searching for water. Water shortages have been shown to decrease attendance rates at schools, preventing students from receiving an adequate education.
Additionally, water that is collected is often unsanitary. Disease caused by waterborne bacteria is prevalent in certain areas. These diseases often prevent students from attending class. Due to the lack of substitute teachers, class is cancelled for every student when a teacher gets sick. These conditions prevent students from receiving a proper education, and on a grander scale, drastically harm the long term future of developing nations. |