Makause community gets new toilets in celebration of Global Handwashing Day
"Children learn about handwashing and receive dental hygiene education."
Makause informal settlement hosted a significant hygiene-focused event on October 8, as the SOS NPO, in collaboration with Dis-Chem, Grundfos, AGT Foods, and Colgate, commemorated Global Handwashing Day.
Themed ‘Germbusters’, the event promoted handwashing and hygiene education among young children, emphasising the importance of proper sanitation practices.
Held at English Literacy Pre-School, local stakeholders, including the SAPS, community leaders, and the Primrose Youth Desk supported the event.
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This initiative is part of the broader Pitstop! and EradicaTour Project, which seeks to uplift communities by providing sustainable sanitation solutions.
The morning’s activities featured interactive hygiene demonstrations, group handwashing lessons with Dis-Chem nurses, and dental hygiene education from Colgate.
The event also highlighted the community’s ongoing efforts to improve sanitation.
Candice Pitts, executive programme manager at SOS NPO, stressed the significance of community involvement in promoting health and wellness.
“The Makause community has been pivotal to the success of the Pitstop! Project, actively contributing to better sanitation facilities, job creation, and enhanced hygiene education,” said Pitts.
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“The installation of new hygienic toilets at the preschool, achieved through collaboration, represents a major step forward.
”The initiative celebrated hygiene education and the community’s role in realising these improvements.
“More toilets will be installed, with plans to rehabilitate the sports ground and introduce agricultural practices to the area.”
Makause chairperson Mthandeni Nkosi praised the project, noting its impact on employment and safety.
“Six people have been employed for the toilet installations, with plans for more installations. The project will help reduce unemployment through maintenance and toilet service training,” he said.
SOS NPO continues to drive change through innovative projects addressing water, sanitation, and hygiene challenges, aiming to foster long-term health benefits and sustainable development in vulnerable communities.
