Dave Durkin, from Kilmersdon, recently travelled to Madagascar to see how communities will receive vital access to water and sanitation, thanks to fundraising efforts from people in the west.

Dave, who works as a Director of Operational Services for Wessex Water, went to see how donations to WaterAid will help fund water and sanitation projects in the Vakinankaratra region of Madagascar, which has one of the poorest rates of access to these basic services in the country.

Last year, £182,299 was raised through volunteer and fundraising efforts and during the last 26 years, many Wessex Water customers have helped raise more than £15 m for safe water and sanitation projects in some of the world’s poorest communities.

Dave was among a team of seven who visited the communities in Madagascar where WaterAid works, to learn about the devastating impact a lack of safe water and sanitation has on people’s health, education and livelihoods, as well as the difference having access to these simple services can make.

While visiting the region, the group had the chance to get their hands dirty,

transporting vital building materials to villages and helping build a new tap stand that will provide a lasting supply of clean, safe water for generations to come. Dave said: “We spent a humbling day with the community in the village of Faratsiho, where families have had no choice but to rely on dirty water.

“It was amazing to be able to help to build a new water point that will have such a huge impact on lives. I could see just how much it meant to them all to get a supply of safe water for the first time.”

Customer support will help WaterAid publicise key hygiene messaging, such

as handwashing, through hygiene promoters, community meetings, health centre staff and school WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) clubs.

During a visit to a public health centre, Dave learnt about the challenges in

delivering safe healthcare without adequate water and sanitation facilities.

Dave added: “It’s so easy for us to take water for granted as we have it at the turn of

a tap, but this trip really reminded us just what a valuable and life-saving resource water is and the importance of continued support.”