20 Dec Global Handwashing Day 2022

Marked annually on 15th October annually since 2008, Global Handwashing Day seeks to advocate for the need to wash hands with soap and clean water in order to reduce diseases and importantly, save lives. This year’s focus was on the link between Handwashing and food: I.e., Food Hygiene and nutrition. To ensure safe handling of Food-from preparation to consumption, hygiene is key.

To implement this years’ theme: Unite for Universal Hand Hygiene, a team from Lake Victoria North Water Works Development Agency comprising of Mary Manyasa- the senior sociologist, Patrick Shibukara- senior corporate communications officer, Daisy Cherop- Quality Assurance Officer, Faith Makali- Assistant Corporate Communications Officer, Fransisca Ochieng’ and Victor Mande paid a visit to Shinamwenyuli Primary School in Marama Central Ward, Bulafu sub- location, Butere constituency in Kakamega County.

To implement this years’ focus, the team educated the pupils and teachers on the importance of handwashing in relation to food hygiene and the repercussions of not doing so. Moreover, to ascertain the pupils understanding, there was a Q& A session where each participant was rewarded with gifts: bar/powder/handwashing soap and body oil.

Additionally, the school administration shared the challenges they were facing that hindered the realization of this year’s theme, i.e., scarcity of water and overpopulation. They asked for the agency’s support in offering them a solution such as drilling a borehole. Mrs. Manyasa enlightened them on the procedures to follow in presenting the request, i.e., how to write to the C.E.O. To conclude the exercise, the LVNWWDA team handed over donations (powder soap, bar soap & Handwashing soap) to the deputy headmaster Mr.Benson Kachisa who received them on behalf of the school.