Cause/Effect Essay

Below is a paper I just turned in for my English class. It is a cause/effect essay and the topic is close to my heart.

Enjoy!

One Cup at a Time

Thirsty, Aadil drank the only water available within forty miles – murky, disease- ridden water. Both bacillary dysentery and cholera quickly overtook this ten-year old boy, causing him to miss yet more days of school. Used to water animals, bathe, and as a bathroom, this water had become filthy, contaminated, and unfit for consumption. This is normal, and Aadil has never known a life without constantly fighting sickness. In many nations this water issue has caused millions of deaths a year, making it a major cause of death. Though most of the world cannot fathom drinking this water, it has become an everyday occurrence for those in developing countries. Drinking this water results in decreased productivity, continuous poverty, and too often, death.

Without access to clean water, one issue people face is hindrance to productivity in the village, state, and nation. “Sub-Saharan Africa alone loses 40 billion hours per year collecting water, which is the same as a whole year's worth of labor by France's entire workforce,” estimates United Nations. On a typical day, women and girls may walk four miles to obtain water, carrying up to seventy pounds of water of questionable quality. For larger families more trips are needed.  Therefore, many people spend a great portion of the day collecting water. Time left for the most basic yet essential jobs such as growing food or earning a living has shrunk to a minimal amount. Collecting clean water controls people who live in this world. This water problem also creates economic hardship. When Gyasi gets sick from the polluted water, he cannot work for perhaps weeks. Money brought in by Gyasi has suddenly stopped. Loss of income, the burden to care for the sick, and the task of covering for another person’s responsibilities, further multiplies his family’s difficulties. Lack of clean water cripples people and reduces productivity.

Furthermore, inadequate clean water creates and continues poverty. Surviving with the little they have, families in developing countries must accept and drink whatever questionable water they can obtain. These people repeatedly catch various illnesses. Most cannot afford medical aid, but if one can, they may have to walk days to a clinic. Hardship increases when the little money they have goes to remedy an illness that will quickly occur again. Their sickness undermines their ability to make a living. Furthermore, because large amounts of time are spent collecting water, other things of great importance are not a priority. In the United States and other developed nations, school is mandatory; however, in countries such as Africa, where people struggle daily to survive, school is not of great importance. Without a good education the people of Africa cannot learn how to better themselves. This lack of knowledge helps continue this cycle. Due to the all-consuming task of collecting water, often contaminated, the very things that could help eliminate poverty, good health and education, are either unobtainable or little importance.

Although hard to believe, unclean water has become a leading cause of deaths. Consuming this contaminated water turns into a health hazard at best, but for many, drinking this water results in death. Currently, people who suffer from water caused diseases fill half the world’s hospital beds. Sadly, most of the water problems such as cholera, typhoid, diarrhea, and bacillary dysentery could have been prevented if clean water had been available or at least the proper medicine administered. Cancer, heart attacks, and car accidents are the leading causes of death. Now fouled water has joined them. The human population will decrease greatly if unclean water is not challenged. Pacific Institute Research Report estimates that seventy-six million people will die by 2020 because of this water problem. Unclean water has drastically taken a toll on the world population.

            Unclean water has created many major problems in developing countries. Without this simple but necessary commodity, the growth and advancement of the nation is greatly impaired. Poverty continues without this invaluable resource. Where clean water is lacking, this contaminated source is a major leader in deaths. This problem is overwhelming and the solution is simple but complex. Many may believe that approaching this problem is useless if it cannot be totally eradicated. However, there are ways to make a dent in this problem. Though small, these actions work towards providing some relief to this situation. Some ideas include providing a water filter for a family, financially supporting a child where clean water is not accessible, or raising money to buy a well for a village in Malawi. In the end, Aadil was cured of his water caused illness. World Vision, an outreach for world relief, provided him the necessary medicine to recover and return back to school. Though the devastating consequences of unclean water will always remain, small steps in the right direction can save many lives.