Karaoke usually evokes images of wanna-be lounge singers belting out their version of “I Did It My Way.” But in Cambodia, karaoke is being used to educate citizens about the dangers of drinking untested well water. A story this morning on National Public Radio told of how villagers are “learning about safe drinking water through karaoke videos that combine stories of love with information about the dangers of arsenic and bacteria in some hand-dug wells.” The song featured in the story was between a husband and wife, with her praising him for digging her such a lovely well, and then both of them understanding that even a well that appears to produce clean water must be tested first.

The karaoke idea was the brainchild of an American living in Cambodia who overheard a woman singing the theme from the children’s program Barney to a small child. He realized that song can be a useful tool in relating information and making it memorable. Because karaoke is a popular form of entertainment in the country, he decided to combine the need for education about safe drinking water with the love of song. So far the impact seems positive.

What about you? What unusual but effective ideas can you share about reaching your community with the important news of safe drinking water or environmentally responsible wastewater treatment?