Toilet cleanliness sets the foundation for hygiene
The "WASH in Schools" project, an initiative focusing on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in Schools, is making a significant impact in Burkina Faso and Ethiopia. This project aims to improve children's health and education outcomes by promoting hygiene education, providing clean water, and improving sanitation infrastructure in schools.
In Burkina Faso, the project's focus on schools and communities is aimed at improving the health and hygiene practices of a large portion of the population. By the end of the project, approximately 320,000 people will have access to a toilet, a figure that currently stands at just 3%. Health clubs are being established at schools and in 12 communities to promote good handwashing practices.
The project's impact is evident in the reduction of diarrheal diseases, worm infections, and other hygiene-related illnesses, which are significant contributors to child morbidity in these regions. Improved health directly correlates with better school attendance and cognitive ability, as children suffer fewer absences due to illness.
In Ethiopia, particularly in the Borana region, the project is addressing critical barriers to education and health. The region, known for its biodiversity and picturesque landscape, faces challenges in access to clean drinking water and adequate sanitation facilities. Only one in three people in Borana has access to clean drinking water, and the rural population has access to an average of only 4 liters of water per person per day, which is far below the 20 liters per person per day necessary to meet basic personal and food hygiene needs.
To address these issues, new toilets will be installed in ten schools in Borana, and health education initiatives will be implemented to control parasitic infections and improve students’ overall health. Boys and girls in Borana will learn about environmental protection and imparting hygiene knowledge in WASH clubs.
The benefits of the WASH in Schools project extend beyond health and education. By reducing absenteeism and dropout rates, particularly among girls, the project helps improve girls’ education and gender equality. Schools with effective WASH programs report greater student participation and improved learning environments due to better health and comfort.
In conclusion, the WASH in Schools project is a comprehensive approach combining facility improvements and hygiene education. It addresses critical barriers to education and health by preventing waterborne diseases and promoting hygiene knowledge. In Burkina Faso and Ethiopia, such projects lead to healthier children, increased school attendance, improved girls’ education, and enhanced cognitive performance. These outcomes align with global evidence demonstrating that WASH interventions in schools contribute significantly to child health, educational attainment, and gender equality.
In Burkina Faso, the project's focus on schools and communities also encompasses science education and health-and-wellness, with health clubs at schools promoting not only good handwashing practices but also creating opportunities for discussing various aspects of science related to health.
In Ethiopia, the WASH in Schools project in the Borana region is planned to extend its impact to education-and-self-development by incorporating sessions on environmental protection and teaching boys and girls about imparting hygiene knowledge, thereby encouraging self-growth and responsibility towards their community.
