A schools project that launched during August will see a dramatic increase in good health practices among primary school pupils in Gauteng that should result in healthier pupils.
Unilever’s Lifebuoy brand is heading into close on 300 schools in Gauteng with a project that encourages pupils to adopt a new hand washing habit within just 21 days.
Spokesperson for Lifebuoy, Ashveer Mahabar says the project expects to reach more than half a million people over the 21-day period.
“Lifebuoy’s School of Five campaign launched during August when ambassadors for the brand headed into close on 300 schools in Gauteng,” Ashveer explains.
The Train the Trainer programme also will be implemented in 371 schools by four roving teams consisting of two members per team. This programme is aimed at teachers and pupils.
“Lifebuoy is targeting selected Gauteng schools in order to be able to measure results and determine how effective the campaign will be in these areas. The campaign will focus on more than 100 000 children aged between six and 12, from Grade R to Grade 6.
“As the children will be taking the new habits home to siblings and parents, we hope to reach more than half a million people with the important message of washing your hands at key occasions every day,” says Ashveer.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), diarrhoea and pneumonia combined are responsible for the deaths of 3,5 million children under the age of five every year. The majority of these deaths are linked to poor hygiene and a lack of access to sanitation, but research has proved that the simple hygiene habit of washing hands with soap could reduce this figure by almost half.
“Research has proven that a new habit can be adopted in just 21 days. During the next few weeks Lifebuoy will demonstrate the importance of proper hand washing with soap,” says Ashveer.
In foundation and intermediate phases washing hands is part of the daily timetable as per the teacher aid supplied to government schools.
The habit also is taught and reinforced during Life Skills lessons. Songs also are taught to make the habit exciting for children.
In the intermediate phase washing hands is not part of the daily timetable as children are considered old enough to understand the importance of cleanliness. However, the habit is reinforced during Life Orientation lessons.
Children in the intermediate phase usually are encouraged to wash their hands before receiving food via feeding schemes.
However, not all schools have sinks with running tap water. Some use hand basins where children wash their hands using the same basin.
In these instances teachers use a jug to pour water over the children’s hands so as to ensure they do not wash hands in the same water.
Ashveer says the School of Five campaign has been approved by the principals at each of the schools the brand will be visiting.
“School principals have come on board as they realise the importance of the campaign and its effect on anything from school attendance to family medical bills,” he says.
“Good health practices and habits should not only be taught and focused on in winter, hand washing with soap is an important factor in breaking the chain of infection in all seasons. The 21-day habit will benefit pupils as well as their parents. By improving their health conditions it will have a positive impact on family medical bills too.”
“Principals are keen to help the children through the 21 days so that they can adopt new habits and create a legacy of a healthy attitude towards hand washing.”
During the 21 days children will engage in a fun way to make learning the habit of washing hands at key occasions throughout their day relevant and exciting for them.
The five occasions when they will learn to wash their hands is after bath time, after using the toilet, before breakfast, before lunch and before supper.
