Access to safe water, adequate sanitation, and good hygiene practices is fundamental to human health, dignity, education, and sustainable development. At Sensitize and Empower Tanzania (SET), we recognize that inadequate WASH services contribute to preventable diseases, poor educational outcomes, environmental degradation, and persistent poverty, particularly among children, women, and vulnerable populations.

Our Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Program is designed to improve access to clean and safe water, promote sustainable sanitation and hygiene practices, and strengthen community capacity to manage WASH facilities. Working in both rural and urban communities across Tanzania, SET collaborates with schools, local authorities, community leaders, health facilities, development partners, and community members to deliver sustainable, community-led solutions that improve public health and quality of life.

The program places particular emphasis on creating safe learning environments for children, empowering women and girls through improved menstrual hygiene management, and ensuring that vulnerable groups have equitable access to essential WASH services.

To improve access to safe water, promote sanitation and hygiene, and build sustainable Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) systems that enhance health, dignity, education, and community well-being.

Program Objectives

The WASH Program seeks to:

• Improve access to safe and reliable water sources in underserved communities.
• Promote improved sanitation and hygiene practices at household, school, and community levels.
• Reduce the prevalence of waterborne and sanitation-related diseases.
• Strengthen community capacity to manage and maintain WASH infrastructure.
• Improve menstrual hygiene management for girls and women.
• Support schools in creating child-friendly and inclusive WASH facilities.
• Promote environmental protection through sustainable water resource management.
• Encourage behavior change through continuous hygiene education and community engagement.
• Build partnerships that support long-term WASH sustainability.

Target Beneficiaries

The program primarily serves:

• Children in pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools.
• Teachers and school administrators.
• Women and girls.
• Vulnerable households.
•People living with disabilities.
• Youth groups.
• Community-based organizations.
• Rural and urban communities with limited WASH services.

SET works to increase access to safe and reliable water by supporting community-driven water initiatives.

Activities include:

• Rehabilitation of community water sources.
• Construction and improvement of water supply systems.
• Installation of rainwater harvesting systems in schools and community institutions.
• Promotion of household water treatment and safe storage.
• Water quality testing and monitoring.
• Community education on safe water handling and conservation.
• Support for water user committees to strengthen local management.

Expected outcomes include improved access to safe drinking water, reduced time spent collecting water, and lower incidence of waterborne diseases.

Adequate sanitation protects public health and preserves the environment. SET supports communities and institutions to improve sanitation infrastructure and practices.

Activities include:

• Construction and rehabilitation of gender-responsive and disability-inclusive sanitation facilities.
• Promotion of improved household latrines.
• School sanitation improvement initiatives.
• Community campaigns to eliminate open defecation.
• Training on safe waste disposal and environmental cleanliness.
• Promotion of handwashing facilities in schools and public institutions.
• Support for sanitation planning at community level.

Expected outcomes include cleaner communities, safer sanitation facilities, improved dignity, and healthier living conditions.

Infrastructure alone is not enough; sustainable health improvements require lasting behaviour change. SET promotes practical hygiene education that encourages lifelong healthy habits.

Activities include:

• Handwashing promotion campaigns.
• Community hygiene education sessions.
• School WASH clubs.
• Household hygiene demonstrations.
• Food hygiene and nutrition awareness.
• Safe water storage education.
• Personal hygiene education for children.
• Community outreach through local leaders and volunteers.
• Hygiene awareness during disease outbreaks and emergencies.

Expected outcomes include improved hygiene behaviours, healthier families, and reduced disease transmission.

Healthy learning environments improve attendance, concentration, and academic performance. SET works closely with schools to establish safe, inclusive, and child-friendly WASH facilities.

Activities include:

• Construction and renovation of school toilets.
• Installation of handwashing stations.
• Water supply improvements for schools.
• Formation and strengthening of School WASH Clubs.
• Hygiene education for learners.
• Teacher training on WASH promotion.
• School cleaning campaigns.
• Operation and maintenance planning for school facilities.

Expected outcomes include increased school attendance, particularly among girls, improved student health, and safer learning environments.

SET is committed to ensuring that girls and women can manage menstruation safely, hygienically, and with dignity.

Activities include:

• Menstrual hygiene education.
• Distribution and promotion of reusable and affordable menstrual products.
• Awareness sessions for boys and community members to reduce stigma.
• Improvement of privacy and sanitation facilities in schools.
• Training teachers and community facilitators on menstrual health.

Expected outcomes include improved confidence among girls, reduced school absenteeism, and increased awareness of menstrual health.

Sustainable WASH services depend on strong local ownership. SET invests in developing community knowledge and leadership.

Activities include:

• Training Water User Committees.
• Capacity building for school management committees.
• Leadership training for community WASH champions.
• Community action planning.
• Maintenance and repair training for local technicians.
• Strengthening partnerships with local government authorities.

Expected outcomes include improved management of WASH facilities, stronger community ownership, and sustainable service delivery.

Protecting natural resources is essential for long-term water security. SET integrates environmental conservation into all WASH interventions.

Activities include:

• Watershed protection initiatives.
• Tree planting around water sources.
• Community environmental awareness campaigns.
• Promotion of proper solid and liquid waste management.
• Plastic waste reduction campaigns.
• Climate-resilient water management practices.

Expected outcomes include healthier ecosystems, protected water sources, and improved resilience to climate change.

Cross-Cutting Themes

The WASH Program integrates the following principles across all interventions:

• Gender equality and women’s empowerment.
• Disability inclusion and accessibility.
• Child safeguarding and protection.
• Environmental sustainability.
• Community participation and ownership.
• Health promotion.
• Climate resilience.
• Accountability and transparency.

Our Approach

SET applies a community-centred approach that places local people at the heart of planning, implementation, monitoring, and sustainability. We work closely with government institutions, schools, community leaders, health facilities, development partners, and volunteers to ensure that WASH interventions respond to local needs and deliver long-term impact.

By combining infrastructure development with education, behaviour change, capacity building, and environmental stewardship, we create solutions that continue to benefit communities long after project completion.

Expected Impact

Through the WASH Program, SET aims to achieve:

• Increased access to safe and reliable water services.
• Improved sanitation coverage in schools and communities.
• Enhanced hygiene knowledge and practices.
• Reduced incidence of waterborne and hygiene-related diseases.
• Improved school attendance and learning outcomes.
• Greater dignity and safety for women and girls.
• Stronger community ownership of WASH infrastructure.
• Increased resilience to climate and environmental challenges.
• Healthier, cleaner, and more sustainable rural and urban communities.

Partnership Opportunities

SET welcomes partnerships with government agencies, development partners, corporate organizations, foundations, universities, volunteers, and community groups committed to advancing safe water, sanitation, and hygiene for all. Together, we can expand access to life-saving WASH services, strengthen community resilience, and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).