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As a manufacturer of water management products, NORMA Group is acutely aware of how important clean drinking water is. For several years now, the company has been working with the children’s right organization Plan International Deutschland to improve the supply of water around the world. These efforts are the focus of the “NORMA Clean Water” project.
Our involvement in the “NORMA Clean Water” project began in 2014 near NORMA Group’s production site in the greater Pune area of India. By the time the project was completed in 2018, structural measures to repair sanitary facilities had been carried out at a total of 27 schools to prevent the spread of diseases caused by contaminated drinking water and poor hygiene.
Project activities in Brazil
NORMA Group has been involved in a similar capacity in the northeast of Brazil since 2017. Shortages of water and drought largely define the lives of the local population. The first phase of the project was completed in 2020. Construction of four new water supply systems has provided more than 600 families with improved access to clean water.
The second project phase in Brazil has now been underway since November 2020, directly on the heels of the first phase. In collaboration with Plan International, we are implementing measures to improve the water supply as well as the health and hygiene conditions in four communities in the project regions of Codó, Timbiras and Peritoró. Together, we are reaching more than 4,330 people, including 1,464 children.
Let’s take a closer look at the project activities in the period from November 2022 to April 2023.
Access to clean (drinking) water
The new water supply system in the municipality of Horta was officially commissioned in April of this year. Thanks to this well, 1,373 people now have access to clean drinking water, including 494 children.
Healthy nutrition from community gardens
Community gardens have been established in the communities of Axixá and São Benedito dos Colocados. A total of 62 residents from of the communities received guidance from experts in establishing the gardens and planting various fruits and vegetables, such as watermelon, okra, corn, cabbage and peppers.
In addition to being able to use the produce for their own consumption, the residents can also sell it to further improve their crops, as happened in the community of Axixá: Income from the sale of harvested produce was reinvested in the gardens, for example by purchasing new seeds for planting.
Workshops in the communities
Five workshops were held to teach 107 adults in the communities of Cajazeiras and Horta about topics such as basic hygiene practices, healthy living habits, menstruation and child protection. In another 32 workshops, 419 children dealt with the topic of gender equality. Among other things, existing gender stereotypes and stereotypical role models were critically examined and the girls and boys were encouraged to take an active stand against gender discrimination.
Raising awareness in schools
In an effort to reach as many children and young people as possible, workshops were also conducted in a number of schools. These workshops provided 233 girls and 251 boys with basic information about puberty and menstruation. One key aspect was proper menstrual hygiene. Kits with pads and information brochures were then distributed to the participants.
In order to heighten the young people’s awareness of the relevance of sustainable water use and responsible environmental practices, there were a number of lectures and discussion panels as part of several action days at a concluding exhibition. Their participation gave the young adults a comprehensive understanding of the immense importance of access to clean water for people’s lives.
Active commitment
Sustainability has been an integral part of NORMA Group’s corporate strategy for many years. The company is thus also contributing to the implementation of the United Nations’ 17 Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as outlined in the Agenda 2030. The measures implemented as part of “NORMA Clean Water” are contributing to Goal 3 “Good health and well-being”, Goal 5 “Gender equality” and Goal 6 “Clean water and sanitation”.
