Why is clean water so important to poor countries? A recent report shows that about 80 percent of diseases. in poor countries are brought by polluted water and the dirty environment. In those countries, women and girls spend several hours collecting water, but often polluted, far away from their families. The polluted water is bad for their health. Therefore, there is a great need for people in poor countries to get clean water to improve their health.
Here is a short story about Hadjara Zakari, a 12-year-old girl in Niger. She learned about the importance of hand washing when the school first got clean water three years ago. That evening, she told her father, “You shouldn't eat with me unless you clean your hands.” Her father was very angry and shouted at her, "It's not 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 head teacher, he understood the importance of hand washing and his daughter's intention (目的). The girl really wanted her family to live longer and healthier lives.
For people in developing countries, clean water can change many things, especially improve their health. So, from now on, let's avoid wasting water and take action to save water, which is important to people all over the world.
