Whyis clean water so important to poor countries? A recent report shows that about80 percent of diseases. in poor countries are brought by polluted water and thedirty environment. In those countries, women and girls spend several hourscollecting water, but often polluted, far away from their families. Thepolluted water is bad for their health. Therefore, there is a great need forpeople in poor countries to get clean water to improve their health.

    Hereis a short story about Hadjara Zakari, a 12-year-old girl in Niger. She learnedabout the importance of hand washing when the school first got clean waterthree years ago. That evening, she told her father, "You shouldn't eat with meunless you clean your hands." Her father was very angry and shouted at her, "It'snot up to you to tell me what to do!" Stunned (目瞪口呆的) , Hadjara sat quietly. But she knew she was right. Inprotest,Hadjara didn't eat dinner that night. After her father asked Hadjara's headteacher, he understood the importance of hand washing and his daughter'sintention (目的). The girl really wanted her family tolive longer and healthier lives.

    Forpeople in developing countries, clean water can change many things, especiallyimprove their health. So, from now on, let's avoid wasting water and takeaction to save water, which is important to people all over the world.