ccording to the United Nations Children’s Education Fund (Unicef), countries that encourage children to wash their hands with soap have seen a decrease in child mortality due to diarrhoea by 23% and respiratory illnesses by 50%.
Tomorrow (Wednesday) is Global Hand Washing Day and Review spoke to the learners and teachers the Grade R and RR Academy in the city to find out about their hand washing habits.
Reatile Tlou (8) says he washes his hands in the morning before going to school.
“My hands must be clean so that the things I touch do not get dirty,” he explains.
“I was my hands before I go to sleep and after I played with the dog,” says Dominic Wolmarans (4).
Kyle Rossouw (4) washes his hands before he eats, “because they are dirty”.
“I work with young children and wash my hands often, especially after changing nappies,” says Theresa Louw, one of the teachers at the Grade R and RR Academy.
“I do this to prevent germs from spreading and I use disinfectant and soap for a thorough clean,” she explains.
Landi Venter (5) says she washes her hands before she eats because her hands are usually dirty and need a wash. “Then I will not get sick,” she says.
Justin Rossouw (6) says he washes his hands in the morning because he does not want his toys to get dirty.
“I wash my hands every morning so that when I touch something it stays nice and clean,” he explains.
Gr. R teacher, Marianca van Wyk, says that she washes her hands regularly.
“I wash my hands before I eat or change a nappy or play with the children. I do this because germs spread easily and I want to prevent illnesses,” she says.
Daniël Nel (4) says he washes his hands after he plays outside because that is when his hands are the dirtiest.
“I wash my hands because I enjoy having clean hands,” he says.
Petro Wilken, a teacher at the Grade R and RR Academy, also washes her hands regularly.
“I hate it when my hands smell and will wash them over and over until they do not smell anymore.”
