Promoting Hygiene Practices in Schools Gives Children a Healthy Start in Life

“Polluted surroundings are not the only danger to children’s health,” says Mariam. “Sometimes, children’s hygiene behavior can be a risk factor, exposing them to preventable hazards and diseases. When children receive the proper education and access to essential hygiene resources, their behaviors and habits can completely shift for the better, preserving their health for a life course. For instance, some of my students come from communities that practice open defecation. Although we have latrines at schools, they aren’t used to using them and often refuse to use the restroom if I’m not with them.”

Good hygiene habits are essential for children to live healthy and productive lives. Poor hygiene practices in schools can lead to a wide range of health problems, such as the spread of infectious diseases and malnutrition. Good hygiene practices such as regular handwashing, wearing appropriate clothing, and keeping school facilities clean can help prevent the spreading of germs and bacteria. This, in turn, reduces the risk of infections and diseases, including colds, flu, and diarrhea, which can disrupt schooling for children.

To give children a healthy start in life, CARE works together to promote good hygiene practices in schools and surrounding communities. Through the Integrated Emergency Assistance for Internally Displaced People and Host Communities project, CARE supported schools in Al-Dhale’e Governorate with essential hygiene items, awareness sessions, and recreational activities to promote hygiene among students. The intervention aimed at empowering teachers and students to be agents of change in their schools and communities.

As part of the project, outreach activities were held for teachers to educate them about proper hygiene and sanitation for children in schools, including teaching children how to maintain personal hygiene, use sanitation facilities properly, and preserve a healthy and clean school environment.

Mariam was one of the teachers who participated in school activities through which she was trained on classroom management methods and hygiene promotion. “Working with children to spread hygiene awareness is joyful and fulfilling. They usually pick up hygiene practices quickly, and it’s now automatic for them. It’s a habit now for my students to wash their hands first during breaks and before eating.”

Nuha*, 14 years old, one of Mrs. Mariam’s bright students, aims to be a doctor when she grows up. “I participated in school theater activities that raise awareness around hygiene,” says Nuha. “I was given the role of a doctor, and I felt that this role is what I’m looking for as a profession in the future. I want to alleviate the suffering of patients in my area, especially children.”

In addition to theater activities, hygiene promotion activities in schools involved establishing school hygiene clubs where students and teachers volunteer to encourage hygiene across their schools, homes, and the broader community.

“In my school, students lead hygiene activities themselves,” says 13-year-old Manar*. “I work with three other students to teach fellow students step-by-step on how to wash their hands and use the toilet in a healthy way. Our role as members in the school hygiene club is to observe and remind others of the importance of always keeping themselves and their environment clean.”

Mariam is delighted that the children at school have changed their behavior and become changemakers in their homes and communities. “The school has changed dramatically regarding cleanliness and students’ behavior. I’m grateful that we also succeed during house-to-house awareness promotion to encourage some families to send their children to school,” she concludes.

*Names have been changed to protect identities.