Raise a hand for hygiene
Thursday 15 October 2015 is Global Handwashing Day, so here at Friends of Londiani we are asking you to raise a hand for hygiene.
The first Global Handwashing Day was held in back in 2008, when over 120 million children around the world washed their hands with soap in more than 70 countries. Since 2008, community and national leaders have used Global Handwashing Day to spread the word about handwashing, build sinks and tippy taps, and demonstrate the simplicity and value of clean hands.  Each year, over 200 million people are involved in celebrations in over 100 countries around the world. Global Handwashing Day is endorsed by a wide array of governments, international institutions, civil society organizations, NGOs, private companies, and individuals.

Handwashing is an important part of a healthy environment

Over a million very young children die every year in Kenya due to lack of access to proper sanitation and safe water. Many schools in the Kipkelion District do not have adequate sanitation and hygiene facilities. Our Healthy Schools project is trying to change that.

We aim to reduce environmental risks to children’s health that arise from where they live, learn and play by providing knowledge, mobilising resources, and catalysing urgent action. The programme provides training for teachers and increases students’ awareness of environmental health issues through classroom studies. Handwashing is a big part of this.

Each school in the programme works towards ensuring that it has adequate clean water, clean latrines and hand washing facilities, a safe recreation area, no litter, safe food storage and, where needed, mosquito nets for beds. They also aim to offer ventilation in the school kitchen, a fuel-efficient stove with chimney, use of renewable energy sources and no wasting of energy or water.

Healthy children have a healthier educational outlook – but the benefits don’t stop at the school gates. A student club is formed in each school which aims to spread knowledge and make it into positive action, not only in the school but also in the wider community.

And we help them to do that. We help by educating club members, providing information and resources and sponsoring the provision of materials and facilities.

Sometimes you can do a lot in a very simple way.

Get involved

Promoting handwashing doesn’t just include providing hygiene facilities, soap, and water. Behaviour change is a crucial component of making handwashing a habit. Learn more about hygiene behaviour change this Global Handwashing Day, click here to find out more>> 

Share your support for the day and show everyone that you are raising a hand for hygiene. Find out more on Facebook>>