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2.0 INTRODUCTION
The Board of Management members and head teachers’ training was conducted on Wednesday and Friday 19th and 21st August 2020 respectively at Diamond Rock Hotel Kakamega.
The purpose of the training was to empower and impact knowledge to the head teachers and Board of Management members (BOM) regarding COVID-19 and WASH programmes in primary schools. This also aimed at making them aware of WE-REACH CBO and its mandate in the community as a whole in regards to improving the health, living standards and well-being of the vulnerable people in the society.
Power point presentations were used in this training by projecting the policies and WASH strategies. During facilitation, group discussions, questions and role plays were used as a mode of learning.
The participants highlighted their expectations as follows;
• To know about WE-REACH,
• To be informed and understand what COVID-19 is,
• To understand WE-REACH Program in relation to COVID-19,
• Reopening of schools.
ABOUT WE REACH by Mr Edwin Nyongesa
The training started with a word of prayer and then followed by introductions whereby the participants and facilitators were acquainted to each other.
This was followed by opening remarks from Edwin, WE REACH project staff, where he informed the participants that they will be trained on COVID-19 response and prevention and as well as the WASH project and how it will be implemented in schools and what role the participants will play as we continue to implement it.
He informed the participants that WE REACH as a community led based organization that employs sustainable solutions through advocacy, health promotion, collaborative programming and knowledge sharing.
The organization started its operations in the 2019 working with 10 schools in conjunction with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education. He said that WE REACH is currently working with 10 primary schools in Lubambi Sub County and aims to expand its scope to others schools within the Sub County and beyond.
He said that the organization has a vision of ensuring that every child and young people in Lurambi Sub-county obtains healthy living where they are able to have confidence in themselves, to express their feelings and understand their rights. “Healthy Vision Take Care of Yourself,” he quoted. “Good health is an important part of good vision where the healthier a child is, the better chance of avoiding risks to what they eyes.” He said.
Moreover, the organization mission is to provide the community with solutions which are sustainable that the society can embrace and own in order to achieve healthy community. He emphasized that in order for the mission to be successful, the teachers and the BOM should actively be involved in the implementation of the program
Mr. Edwin discussed WE-REACH objectives in Lurambi Sub-County which include; WASH in schools, youth health and well-being and orphans and vulnerable children.
WASH in schools
The aim of the organization here is to ensure that schools have good sanitation and hygiene standards by ensuring there is enough water supplies, toilets, disposal pits and enough wash rooms for girls; this improves the health and hygiene standards of the learners. To achieve this, the organization provides knowledge and skills to the schools Boards of Management, teachers and pupils in ways that they are able to identify and help establish active and sustainable WASH practices in their schools. This is done through sensitization and training.
Youth Health and Well-Being
The organization empowers young people in ways that are able to understand the importance of livelihood and health activities like reproductive health rights training. WE REACH has held a number of sensitization training and workshop to help the youth customize on their potential of being innovative, be involved in activities that will help them be productive and contribute to the growth of the economy.
Orphans and Vulnerable Children
The organization has developed a program of education which supports orphans and vulnerable children in order to improve their quality of lives, their families and care givers. He explained that it can be either learners with disabilities in schools or the less fortunate in the community.
CORONA VIRUS PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT by Annette Alusa Sub County Public Health Officer
Dr. Annette started the training by asking the participants whether they understand what is COVID19 They gave a positive responses based on their understanding. Some of them said that it is a virus from China and others said it is a virus affecting the respiratory system causing difficulty in breathing. She asked the participants how the virus spread and also signs and symptoms that are associated with the virus. They responded as; high fever, coughing, sneezing among others.
Annette appreciated all their views and contributions. She defined COVID-19 as an acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 that can be spread through; droplets generated when an infected person coughs or sneezes; contaminated surfaces around an infected.
She echoed on the common signs and symptoms of Covid-19 like; high fever; dry cough; tiredness, persistent chest pain and shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing. She further explained that these signs and symptoms can occur within a period of two to fourteen days after exposure, which is called the incubation period.
“Everyone is at risk of being infected with the virus”, the doctor stressed. She listed the group of people who are most vulnerable to the virus and they can succumb to it within a short period of time if treatment is not given. These groups include; the old, people with pre-existing medical conditions like serious heart diseases, cancer, chronic kidney disease, asthma and high blood pressure.
COVID19 Prevention measures
Dr. Annette engaged the participants to demonstrate the right procedure when washing hands. Some volunteered to show the participants how to wash hands which made everybody to get involved in the exercise.
She guided the participants on the procedure as they wash their hands. The procedure she used is as follows; using running water to wash the hands; apply soap either bar or liquid, Use friction to remove dirt from under fingernails for 15-20 seconds, rinse with clean running water. She emphasized on using clean disposable towel or allows air to dry the hands.
She emphasized on maintain physical distance of 1.5-2 meters. One of the participants wanted a clarification whether it is social or physical distancing. The facilitator engaged the participants in a discussion which later came to an agreement that it can be both used.
The facilitator showed the participants on the way to cough or sneeze. She said that it is advisable for one to cough or sneeze in a disposable tissue or clothing or in an elbow. This will help to prevent droplets of saliva to be exposed into the air.
She appreciated the participant for putting on their masks. She said that wearing mask is the key preventive measure one can take to prevent his or her self from getting infected in public places.
She concluded that, touching mouth, eyes and nose increases rate self-infection. Moreover, she advised the participant to clean and sanitize hands frequently to avoid infections.
In addition, she told them to disinfect highly touched surfaces like, doorknobs and switches counters, avoid sharing dishes, beddings and other household items if sick.
ACTIONS FOR COVID-19 PREVENTION AND CONTROL IN SCHOOLS by Erick Bosire
Mr. Bosire started by making the participants know the purpose of the presentation which was to provide key messages and considerations for engaging school administrators, teachers and staff, parents, caregivers and community members, as well as children themselves in promoting safe and healthy schools.
He emphasised that, protection of children and educational facilities is paramount, precautions are necessary to prevent the potential spread of COVID-19 in school settings. He continued by saying, care must be taken to avoid stigmatizing students and staff that may have been exposed to the virus.
Therefore measures must be taken by schools to prevent the entry and spread of COVID-19 by students and staff that may have been exposed to the virus, while minimizing disruption and protecting students and staff from discrimination.
Key Messages & Actions to school administrators, teachers and staffs
Sick students, teachers and other staff should not come to school
Schools should enforce regular hand washing with safe water and soap, alcohol rub/hand sanitizer or chlorine solution and, at a minimum, daily disinfection and cleaning of school surfaces
Schools should provide water, sanitation and waste management facilities and follow environmental cleaning and decontamination procedures
Schools should promote social distancing (a term applied to certain actions that are taken to slow down the spread of a highly contagious disease, including limiting large groups of people coming together.
He lay emphasises to be considered as follows;
Teachers to ensure they listen to children’s concerns and answer their questions in an age-appropriate manner;
Not to overwhelm them with too much information.
Encourage them to express and communicate their feelings,
Children can do a lot to keep themselves and others safe.
Furthermore, the school administration, parents or caregivers should help children understand the basic concepts of disease prevention and control. That is,
To use exercises that demonstrate how germs can spread. For example, by putting coloured water in a spray bottle and spraying over a piece of white paper as they observe how far the droplets travel.
Lastly by demonstrating how to wash hands for 20 seconds with soap and water and its significance.
WASH PROJECT IN SCHOOLS by Erick Bosire
Mr. Bosire explained that the aim of the project was to improve performance among school children through the delivery of WASH at 10 primary schools in Lurambi Sub-County and also to empower school children, teachers and board of management to be their own advocates on all WASH matters.
He retaliated that the head teachers and Board of Management members have a great responsibility to ensure that their respective schools have good standards of sanitation and hygiene. He noted that most schools face the challenge of getting enough money to facilitate for purchase of sanitation and hygiene equipment. He advised schools to devise various ways of fundraising such as engaging former students and Christian organizations.
He went ahead to say that the project is embedded by the following policies which all teachers need to have in their schools for reference and always read them.
United Nations Millennium Development Goals
2030 agenda Sustainable Development Goals (3, 4 and 6)
Kenya Policy and Legislative Framework for WASH
Kenya School Health Policy
Kenya School Health Implementation and Guidelines
WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP)
Standards and Guidelines for Wash Infrastructure in Pre-Primary and Primary Schools in Kenya (October 2017).
While highlighting the importance of all the policies, he encouraged the school administrators to think on constructing toilets that can serve the learners for a longer period and also to consider the proper design that are available in the document when planning the project.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PROJECT
He stated that most primary schools in Lurambi sub- County have poor WASH facilities and there is a gap in hygiene education that encourages the development of healthy behaviors for life this is according to (Barasa et.al 2015). There is general lack of knowledge on WASH matters and the relevant Government Legislation, Policies and Guidelines such as:
Water – Poor, inconsistent or no supply and no tanks for storing drinking water for purification treatment
Sanitation – run-down, unsafe and unclean latrines with no privacy
Hygiene – Lack of soap and water for hand washing
Hygiene - Inadequate or no facilities for Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM)
PROJECT APPROACH
Bosire illustrated that the project focuses on WASH education in the schools and will use the following interventions:
a. Engage with the relevant stakeholders such as MOH and MOE in implementation of the project. Erick made clear to them that WE-REACH is already working closely with the Ministry of Health and also Education in Kakamega County to make sure that the project is sustainable.
b. Advise Board of Management (BOM) members about the Standards and Guidelines for Wash Infrastructure in Pre-Primary and Primary Schools in Kenya (October 2017) advising them on their roles and responsibilities as set out in the document.
c. Educate children about good hygienic behaviors using Child Hygiene and Sanitation Training (CHAST) strategy. Health clubs are going to be established and that those that exist we be activated and strengthened. Clubs will be used to conduct continues training.
d. Train boys and girls in schools as menstrual hygiene stigma champions through health clubs.
e. Establish a Teacher Health champion in each school to lead on WASH.
EXPECTED RESULTS
When all interventions are done, WE REACH expects the following:
Active involvement of children in health clubs.
Improved class performance among pupils in schools
Girls confident to attend school during menstruation period
Positive influence of hygiene practices at homes, among family members and in the wider community
Sustainable approach to WASH issues in schools
Schools encouraged to construct Adequate MHM facilities and educated girls and boys on MHM good practices
Well improved WASH facilities like latrines.
He concluded by encouraging the school heads and the Board of management to be on the forefront in the fight against Corona virus (COVID-19). The WE-REACH staff reminded the participant to adhere to the measures put forward by the World Health Organization (WHO) together with the Kenyan Ministry of Health.
The head teacher Esokone primary thanked the organization for organizing such training. She requested WE-REACH to continue with such a good initiative in the community especially during this period of COVID-19 pandemic. She also appreciated her fellow participant for agreeing to attend the training and urged them to put into practice what they have learnt.
3.0: LESSONS LEARNT
• Good hygiene promotes health
• Hand washing facilities is a requirement when the schools reopens
• We need everyone on board in order to overcome this pandemic of COVID-19.
4.0 CHALLENGES AND RESOLUTIONS
• Inadequate funds to support more schools in the Sub-County; there is need for fundraising.
• 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 of infrastructure in schools.
• Most schools lack at health clubs
5.0: RECOMMENDATIONS AND REQUIRED ACTIONS.
• The teacher and publics champion to be trained for sustainability of the project
• Head teacher with the help of teacher champion 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
• Head teachers and the board of management should make should the follow the proper right procedure and artisan when contracting toilets for learns.
• Schools should work together in providing hand washing facilities at least in most sensitive at of the school like at the gate, outside the toilet, at the kitchen and out the classrooms.
• Head teachers should provide a washing and changing room for the girls when they are experiencing menstrual periods.
• Head teachers should look for ways of fundraising like proposal writing, bringing alumni of their schools together and contribute the small they have.
WAY FORWARD
Head teachers to identify a teacher and two students who will trained on WASH and COVID as well. The names and their contacts be send to WE-REACH for planning.
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