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.