Provide WASH libraries and Pads4Girls in Nigeria

Hope and Dreams Initiative

Global Hand Washing Day, 2017

~Our Hands Our Future

A report on Hope and Dreams Initiative’ Celebration of Global Hand wash Day

Prepared by: Nguzo Ogbodo

1.0   INTRODUCTION

Global Hand washing Day is a way to support a global and local culture of hand washing with soap; it shines a spotlight on the state of hand washing in each country and raises awareness about the benefits of hand washing with soap. Since 2008, Global Hand washing Day has been celebrated annually on October 15 worldwide. The Global Public-Private Partnership for Hand washing with Soap founded Global Hand washing Day and encourages school children, teachers and families to get involved.

On Global Hand Washing Day we joined partners around the world to celebrate the importance of hand washing with soap as an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives.  This years’ celebration themed “Our Hands Our Future” was celebrated in six schools we have been working with, from Monday 16^th- Friday 20^th October 15, 2017.

Our WASH team visited partner schools, sensitizing their students’ WASH clubs on  

• Why It is Important for us to wash our hands with soap.
• When to wash our hands, especially the critical moments
• How to wash our hands
• How proper hand washing habit reduces ones’ chances of contacting monkey pox

2.0    THE IMPORTANCE OF HAND WASHING WITH SOAP

Hand washing with soap works by interrupting the transmission of disease. Hands often act as vectors that carry disease-causing pathogens from person to person, either through direct contact or indirectly via surfaces. When not washed with soap, hands that have been in contact with human or animal faeces, bodily fluids like nasal excretions, and contaminated foods or water can transport bacteria, viruses and parasites to unwitting hosts.

Hand washing is a cornerstone of public health, hand washing with soap is one of the most effective ways to prevent diarrheal diseases; it is also the cheapest way. In addition, hand washing with soap can limit the transmission of respiratory disease, the largest killer of children under five. Hand washing with soap is also a formidable ally in efforts to combat a host of other illnesses, such as helminths (Worms), eye infections like trachoma and skin infections like impetigo.

• 1.4 million Children under the age of 5 years die from diarrheal diseases and pneumonia, the top two killers of young children around the world.
• Hand washing with soap could prevent about 1 out of every 10 episodes of diarrheal illnesses and almost 1 out of 6 episodes of respiratory infection like pneumonia.

2.1    Washing hands alone with water is not enough!

Washing hands with water alone, a common practice around the world is significantly less effective than washing hands with soap. Proper hand washing requires soap and only a small amount of water. Using soap works by breaking down the grease and dirt that carry most germs, facilitating the rubbing and friction that dislodge them and leaving hands smelling pleasant. The clean smell and feeling that soap creates are incentives for its use. With proper use, all soaps are equally effective at rinsing away disease-causing germs.

3.0   WHEN TO WASH YOUR HANDS WITH SOAP

The critical moments of hand washing with soap are, after using the toilet and or cleaning a child and before handling food.

• Before, during, and after preparing food
• Before eating food
• Before and after caring for someone who is sick
• Before and after treating a cut or wound
• After using the toilet
• After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
• After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
• After touching an animal, animal feed, or animal waste
• After handling pet food or pet treats
• After touching garbage

Hands are the principal carriers of disease-causing germs. It is important to ensure that people have a way to wash their hands at these critical moments. Simple, low-cost solutions like Tippy Taps are within the financial and technological reach of even the poorest communities.

4.0   HOW TO WASH YOUR HANDS

• Wet your hands with clean, water (warm or cold) and apply soap.
• Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Be sure to lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
• Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
• Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
• Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry the hands

5.0   COLLABORATING SCHOOLS

Hope and Dreams Initiative celebrated the Global Hand washing day with six schools with the participation of 782 students. Drama and poetry were performed by students, as they demonstrated the importance of hand washing with soap.

 This celebration was enjoined and participated by 6 schools in Delta State Nigeria, Namely:

• Dore-Numa College, Warri
• Yonwuren College, Warri;
• Ogiame Primary School, Warri;
• Otsoron Primary School, Egbokodo Warri;
• Egbokodo Secondary School, Warri
• Tobrise basic Secondary School, Oghara, Delta State.

5.1    Dore Numa College, Warri

We created a WASH library filled with age appropriate materials on hand washing literacy and installed a hand washing station in February 2016. This WASH facility has been a useful channel through which school students learn about hand washing and hygiene.

On Monday 16^th of October 2017, members of the Hope and Dreams’ WASH team supported Dore Numa WASH club in celebrating Global Hand washing Day by sensitizing JSS1 students of the school on the importance of Hand washing with soap. A group presentation was carried out to enlighten school students on the importance of hand washing, when to wash our hands and practical steps on how to wash hands properly with soap were presented before the school students (156 students).

5.2    Yonwuren College, Warri

We created a WASH library filled with age appropriate materials on hand washing, literacy, hygiene and installed a hand washing station in October, 2016.  

On Tuesday 17^th of October 2017, our WASH team collaborated with the Yonwuren students’ WASH club in celebrating Global Hand wash day (2017), themed “Our hands Our Future”. The Hope and Dreams WASH team and Yonwuren college WASH club educated the entire school assembly on the importance of washing hands with soap, when and how to wash your hands properly. The Yonwuren WASH club also gave a drama presentation on the importance of Hand washing with soap. Attendance: 223 students

5.3    Ogiame primary school, Warri

On Wednesday 18^th of October, we visited Ogiame Primary school (a beneficiary of our WASH library project) and joined them to celebrate Global Hand wash Day.

We sensitized primary 5 and 6  pupils and they were glad to receive us, and listening with keen interest as we educated them on the importance of washing our hands with soap, when to wash our hands and how to properly wash our hands. Attendance: 94

5.4    Otsoron Primary School, Warri

On Thursday 19^th of October, we visited Otsoron Primary School (a beneficiary of our WASH library project) and joined them to celebrate Global Hand Wash Day, 2017.

Dr Emiko Esisi and Mr Weyinmi Okotie addressed the pupils on the importance of washing hands with soap, when and how to properly wash hands. Pupils were also sensitized on this years’ Global Hand Wash theme: Our Hands Our Future, as students were made to understand that if we keep our hands clean we will live healthier lives and have a better chance at achieving whatever we want to.

Attendance: 217

5.5    Tobrise Basic College

On Thursday 19^th of October, we also visited Tobrise Basic secondary school, Oghara-efe, (also a beneficiary of our WASH library project) which is in a rural community.

Mr Weyinmi Okotie, Dr Emiko Esisi and Mrs Constance Enite Inojulagho, introduced the staff and students to the concept of the Global hand wash Day event. Dr Emiko and Mrs Inojulagho sensitized the students on the importance of washing hands with soap, when and how to properly wash our hands. The students were excited as they were given an opportunity to learn practically. We also learnt how to say “For truly clean hands, always use soap” in the urhobo dialect.Attendance: 9

5.6  Egbokodo Secondary school

We visited Egbokodo Secondary (a beneficiary of our WASH library) school on the 20^th of October to celebrate Global Hand washing Day with the school.

Mr Weyinmi and Dr Emiko sensitized the students on the importance of maintaining proper hand washing practices, when and how to wash their hands with soap.  Attendance: 83