More than half of all children under the age of five die of diarrhoea in Madagascar, mainly caused by lack of sanitation. Skin infections and respiratory diseases are also common due to contaminated water sources.

Its a startling fact that only 18% of Madagascar's schools have access to drinking water and only 30% have toilets. Children are encouraged to bring bottles of water to school to drink and clean themselves. One nine year old school boy who regularly suffers from diarrhoea stated "I draw from a river close to our house. I drink it when I am thirsty, even if it is not clean."

Overall, despite efforts being made, only 14% of the rural population have access to water and 7.5% have access to sanitation. These figures rise to 66% and 27% respectively in urban areas, but that's still just over a quarter of the population in towns and cities who have toilet facilities!