Empowering Communities for Sustainable Sanitation and Hygiene Practices: The Impact of Empowered World View (EWV) Model in Tanzania

Abstract

Empowered World View (EWV) is a transformative, faith-based programming model developed by World Vision to foster mindset shifts towards hope, compassionate relationships, self-reliance, and active faith. Initially conceived in 2015 in Tanzania, EWV has been implemented in over 40 countries by 2023. The EWV model comprises five interconnected pillars; self-identity, vision, compassion, building relationships, and faith in action which employ faith-based teachings to transform dependency mindsets and negative self-perceptions, enabling communities to take ownership of their development. This study was conducted to explore the impacts of the EWV model in promoting WASH services uptake. This study used mixed method research design (quantitative and qualitative data) whereas quantitative data collected through household survey tools (920 households) and qualitative data collected through 4 FGDs and observation in 2023. The findings indicate that Kihanga, which received EWV training, had higher
water availability (92.2%) compared to Wasa (88.2%) [z=2.01, p=0.045], greater access to improved drinking water sources within 30 minutes (85.2% vs. 77.8%) [z=2.89, p=0.004], and higher handwashing with soap and running water (56.1% vs. 50.4%) [z=1.72, p=0.086; not statistically significant]. Kihanga had more households with handwashing stations outside toilets (21.1% vs. 16.1%) and a higher proportion of respondents treating drinking water (37.7% vs. 33.9%). The findings highlight significant improvements in household sanitation and hygiene practices, such as increased access to handwashing facilities, latrine construction or enhancement, and household members ability to consistent use of soap for handwashing at critical times. Use of children and youths as agents of change has contributed to disseminating knowledge in handwashing practices. Integration between
EWV and sanitation models increased number of households with handwashing points (tip taps) out of the toilets. The study concluded that EWV model was associated with statistically significant improvements in water access proximity and training uptake; broader hygiene behaviour outcomes showed positive trends that did not reach conventional significance thresholds, warranting further longitudinal investigation