Meet Ichal: street theatre and the fight against disease

Ichal Singh lives in the remote, tribal village of Bahnakhodra in India’s Chhattisgarh. As the youngest son, he lives with his parents and siblings who survive through farming. 

Ichal and his family never had an awareness of good sanitation and hygiene, and focused solely on earning a living. Poor hygiene can lead to waterborne diseases: people become seriously ill with loss of income and even the risk of dying.

Community education is an amazing way to encourage behaviour change for daily life.

• We worked with our local partners to organise a 30 minute street theatre performance that families like Ichal’s could watch.
• It portayed two households, highlighting one that followed good hygiene practices (such as bathing, drinking safe water and using toilets), leading them to a healthy, fulfilling life.

Young Ichal was so inspired by the stories, he decided to dig a waste pit outside the back of his house by himself. Now his family use this pit for farm waste which massively prevents risk of serious disease. The waste in turn is used as compost to nourish the farmland.

Ichal and his family now live in a safer environment and lead happier lives.