Reducing Waterborne Diseases in 131 Kenyan Schools

1.0: ACTIVITY SUMMARY

The formation of Health clubs is a strategy that WE REACH has used in the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) project in primary schools. They are crucial in the implementation of WASH activities and the project’s success in our schools.

WE REACH conducted a Health club visit in five schools in the WASH project to assess the progress of the clubs. This was concerning the activities they have been doing in their schools to ensure that health and hygiene are up to standard. Furthermore, to reduce cases of absenteeism in school due to stomachaches and other water-borne related illnesses.

In most primary schools the Clubs have been very instrumental in sensitizing their fellow pupils on the importance of washing hands regularly with soap and clean running water. The health clubs have been ensuring that there is water and soap in every hand washing station around the school compound. The maintenance of the stations also falls under the health clubs this was to avoid damages of any kind and brings up a sense of ownership and responsibility among the Club members. The health clubs occasionally demonstrate in front of the entire school during assemblies how to use latrines and toilet paper properly, how gems spread in school and how they can prevent, and how to use and dispose of sanitary pads/towels among others.

All schools had hand washing stations at designated places like; outside the classrooms, the latrines, the gate, the kitchen, and the compound. Not all stations had soap because of wastage from other pupils. They use it in excess and some of them use the soap to wash their head, legs, and handkerchief. The consumption of soap is very high learners are excited about using the soap hence the challenge of controlling the times one is required to wash their hands per day. The club members were given the task of monitoring other pupils and reporting.

A school like Emasera primary converted one of its latrines into a menstrual management facility and they provided water and soap for the girls. This has helped in the retention of girls in school during their menses. Though there are some challenges with soap and water in the school to cater to all adolescent girls. Other schools have shown goodwill to also avail the Menstrual Hygiene Management facility for the girls to promote gender equality. Cases of diseases caused by bacteria have gone drastically low. Now one or two pupils report issues of a mild stomachache. According to the Health teacher, the trend has improved from previous cases of five out of ten pupils reporting cases of stomachaches.

Most of the schools confirmed that they have not gotten enough time to meet health club members, this is due to the tight school calendar that demands coverage of the syllabus. They assured the organization of their commitment to the full implementation of the WASH project in their schools. The teacher champions were excited about the visit though they requested a frequent visit from the organization. This would very motivate the health club members to stay focused on the WASH project.   

3.0: LESSONS LEARNT

• The health club visit should be frequent this will motivate the teacher champions and the club members to continue in the WASH project.
• There is need for a refresher training on WASH for the teacher champions and the school administration.

4.0 CHALLENGES

• Most of the schools lack enough water in the school compound and rely on rainwater during dry seasons they are forced to carry water from home.
• The school administration lack enough resources to purchase enough hand washing stations, soap ingredients, and disinfectants.
• Limited time for the Health club to meet due to the tight school calendar on the academic assessments.
• Lack of motivation from the organization to the teacher champion and the health club members.
• Lack of enough funding to donate hand washing stations and soap ingredients to the schools.

5.0: RECOMMENDATIONS AND REQUIRED ACTIONS.

• The school administration should be sensitized more on the importance of ensuring the school has the necessary WASH facilities.
• The organization should find the best way possible of motivating the school's health club to ensure that they stay committed to the WASH program
• The school administration should come up with ways of providing hand washing stations that are economical to the schools like the link tins.
• The organization seeks ways of fundraising to support more schools in the WASH project because there is still ignorance from other schools.

1. 0: ACTIVITY PROCEEDINGS

The activities took place at Kakamega Multipurpose Centre. Introductions were done by participants. The organization did a brief presentation of its objectives and what it implements in the community. The participants were taken through the WASH project and trained on their roles under the Kenya Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) legislation, policy, and guidelines for primary schools. The purpose was to enable them to be their own advocates when it comes to all matters WASH.

During this meeting, WE REACH met 90 members from 30 primary Schools that WE REACH included in the second phase of the WASH project in Lurambi Sub County.  The head teachers and the BOM members were taken through their roles in schools in promoting Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and as well advocate for WASH matters in their schools. These included; promoting and demonstrating regular hand washing and positive hygiene behaviors and monitoring their uptake. To ensure adequate water supply in the school to meet the demand, clean and separate toilets for girls and boys, ensure soap and safe water is available at each-appropriate hand washing station and encourage frequent and thorough washing (at least 20 seconds).

Cleaning school buildings/infrastructures, classrooms especially water and sanitation facilities at least once a day, particularly surfaces that are touched by many people (railings, lunch tables, sports equipment, door and window handles, toys, teaching, and learning aids.

The provision of toilet papers to the pupils was much emphasized. This is because it will prevent the spread of diarrhoeal diseases and worm infestation in the school. It was demonstrated how the bacteria spread from one person to another if the pupil doesn’t have a toilet paper to wipe him/herself. The Board of Management (BOM) members and the head teachers were also urged to provide a room for menstrual hygiene management for the girls. Most of the schools present didn’t have the MHM facilities for the girls. They were advised to convert one or two toilets into bathing rooms and avail water and soap that is for the schools that have more than enough toilets.

For WASH in Schools programs to be sustainable and successful it requires the involvement and buy-in of all the stakeholders in the school setting. Headteachers and BOM members can be role models in schools for the pupils. They can be champions in WASH matters in advocating for required hygiene standards. The school administration can also be integral in working with local governments such as the Ministry of Health and education to ensure schools are adhering to all required WASH standards and protocols.

The participants were taken through an evaluation form for the WASH project that was filled by the head teachers of the schools that were present. It was a three-star score card where one star is bronze, two-star silver, and three-star represents gold. The head teachers were to confirm the scores because they would be used to rank them in this project. The evaluation was according to the infrastructures they have. That is Water Sanitation and Hygiene facilities in their schools.

Lastly, the participants were trained on how to fundraise in order to accomplish some of these projects like; drilling boreholes, constructing latrines/toilets, and washing rooms for girls among others. Illustrations were done to the participants and steps to be followed when writing a proposal to a potential donor for funding their project. WE REACH assured them if they write a good proposal definitely they will get funding and offered to assist any of the participants to write a proposal if it was available. Other ways of fundraising were mentioned like organizing sports events like football tournaments, marathons, and the school alumina.

 3.0: LESSONS LEARNT

• There is a big gap in WASH knowledge and skills among the teachers and pupils in schools. The members do not know their roles in school health.
• With a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities, the teachers and pupils can easily help eliminate water-related diseases by working with the head teacher to set good health standards in schools.

 4.0 CHALLENGES AND RESOLUTIONS

• Lack of changing rooms for girls experiencing menstruation; schools to provide specials rooms for girls
• Not enough toilets for the learners; contraction of additional toilets

Minimal support from the National and County government when it comes to construction

• Inadequate funds to support more schools in the Sub-County; there is a need for fundraising
• Hand washing tanks are not enough in the school to serve the huge population in schools

 5.0: RECOMMENDATIONS AND REQUIRED ACTIONS.

• Headteachers with the help of teacher champions should form health clubs in schools to ensure effective implementation of the project
• The school administration should make sure they are enough toilets in school for boys and girls.
• The head teachers should improvise on the hand washing tanks that can use the link tins if the school cannot afford the modern one.