In DRC, the Healthy Villages and Schools (VEA) National Program consists of a community
participatory process towards sustainable access to improved water services, hygiene and sanitation
where villages and schools are certified “healthy” once they comply with 7 WASH specific norms.
Through a mixed-methods survey of household questionnaires, water quality testing of source and stored
water samples, mapping of water sources, and discussions with key informants, this study looked at VEA
implementation in the Katana health zone, South Kivu province, to ascertain lessons learnt from the
program. From 206 household surveys and 71 focus group discussions, it was determined that there are
two primary barriers to effective water supply coverage: accessibility to a source within 30 minutes and
delivery of water that conforms to WHO guidelines of <1 E. coli CFU/100mL. Additional demographic
and WASH knowledge, attitudes, and practices outcomes as well as challenges associated with the VEA
are discussed
