What is the 4℃ AQUA PROGRAM？
“4°C” is the jewelry brand name of F.D.C. PRODUCTS INC.*, which has deep involvement in and empathy with water issues.
4°C AQUA PROGRAM was established in 2008 as a joint project with 4℃ and Japan Water Forum (“JWF”) in the aim to support women who are struggling with water-related issues. Since the launch of the Program, distinguished projects have been carried out in Kiribati, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

*F.D.C. PRODUCTS INC. is a group company of YONDOSHI HOLDINGS INC. which is a corporate member of JWF.

*Official website of the 4°C AQUA PROGRAM
http://yondoshi.co.jp/eng/csr/contribution

Outline of the 4℃ AQUA PROGRAM 2018
1) Project Site
Morrelganj Upazila, Bagerhat District, Khulna Division, Bangladesh

Bangladesh	Khulna Division

2) Project period
From October 2018 to June 2019

3) Local partner
People for Rainwater Bangladesh

4) Problems
Unlike urban settings, water supply systems are absent in the rural areas of Bangladesh and it is less likely for the areas to have such systems implemented in near future. Therefore, people in the areas where the project is targeting at are relying on ponds and wells for drinking water. However, the quality of such water is not good and securing safe drinking water is hard to attain.
Women and children are the most affected as they are to bear burden to secure drinking water. Every day, they have to go far away from home to get some water from a water pond or well, at the expense of the time for household works and education.
Also, drinking poor-quality water often causes water borne diseases such as diarrhea, which requires additional medical cost for families who are already suffer from poor income in the farming community.

5) Project plan
The project will install a rainwater harvesting system for each family of the targeting village, which enables storing rainwater for drinking purpose. Furthermore, the villagers will be trained to use, maintain and manage the system appropriately so that they can maintain the system for themselves.
Particulars;
– Install rainwater harvesting systems for each of the 40 households in the farming area.
– Conduct trainings regarding the usage and maintenance/management of the rainwater harvesting system.
– Conduct workshops on better living for women of the beneficiary households.
– Follow-ups: Status review and guidance on the usage and maintenance/management, as well as quality test of the rainwater stored in the system.

6) Beneficiaries
40 households with around 180 family members

7) Potential Impacts
– People in the rural neighborhood will be able to access safe drinking water by utilizing rainwater.
– Women and children will be freed from the burden to get water from distant sources.
– Expenses of medication and medical treatment for water-borne diseases caused by drinking water of conventional way will be reduced.

Women and girls standing at the pond in the target area	Woman carrying water collected from the pond

(Reported by Sae Ishihara and Akie Gunji, Manager)