Pauline and Mercy, two girls from Kibera slums have been shortlisted for the Water Heroes Award which recognizes individuals who work towards solving water related challenges around the world.
The Water Heroes fete is organized by Xylem, a multinational water solutions company, in collaboration with English Premier League side Manchester City.
In a post on its social media, Manchester City announced that Pauline and Mercy would be among individuals selected to participate in the 2023 awards.
The duo, having grown up in one of Africa’s biggest slums, have developed an initiative aimed at enhancing access to water.
To tackle period inequality, the duo embarked on the initiative that uses football as an avenue to raise awareness on ways of improving access to water in the slums.
In addition, the two girls have embarked on a mission to educate the population in the slum areas on ways of using water efficiently considering the perennial water shortage.
According to them, Kibera- among other slums, has been grappling with water shortages for years.
In an interview with the awards’ organizers, both Mercy and Pauline narrated how reckless handling of water pipes and other infrastructure hinders access to clean water.
Water shortage affecting slum girls during menstruation
Consequently, the population is left grappling with hygiene-related challenges and exposes them to health hazards.
Among the people bearing the brunt of lack of access to clean water are menstruating women and girls- a situation the two girls are determined to correct.
They have been using football training sessions to educate young girls on ways of using water efficiently as part of their campaign.
Further, the bigger goal, the note, is to have the larger society impacted through transfer of knowledge from the girls playing football to their parents and society at large.
“My name is Mercy. The biggest problem in the slums is water. Water is the root of everything. We need water to cook, we need to clean, bathe, everything,” Mercy says reflecting on the challenges they have had to endure in the slums.
Among the concerns emanating from lack of clean water in the slums, they say, is when cleaning menstrual hygiene towels.
According to their revelations, a considerable proportion of girls in the slum still rely on reusable towels which require frequent cleaning.
The situation is compounded by the recklessness often exhibited in the way they dispose of the used towels.
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“In this slum the population is very high when it comes to disposal of those sanitary towels they are just thrown anywhere. When that happens, you’ll find that the entire environment is not clean,” they noted.
Also Read: Not God’s Favorite- Dealing with Intense Menstrual Pain (Dysmenorrhea)
“Every time a girl is experiencing her menses, she needs water to drink, to clean herself. Most of us use those reusable pieces of cloth. So, when it comes to cleaning it is very difficult.”
Girls use football to transform Kibera
Through the football engagements, the duo has managed to influence a section of the vast population on ways of cleaning water.
“We are using football drills to raise awareness and tell people about how to overcome or solve water challenges. We have shown society how to use clean water, how to reuse water, when to dispose of water and ways of treating water.”
Pauline and Mercy will now join nominees from across the world in competing for the awards.
Manchester City announced that the voting process was ongoing, with voters standing a chance to win a signed jersey from celebrated striker Erling Haaland.
The final shortlist comprises five water projects from five cities drawn from across the globe.
