14 Jul 2012

TOGO / HANDWASHING

In Togo, where more than one child in ten dies before the age of five, a UNICEF-supported competition invited kids to get creative and build hand washing stations from local materials to help stop the spread of diseases. The winner used a rubber sandal to make a tap stopper. UNICEF

Posted at: July 14, 2012 12:02 am

Duration: 01:59

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STORY: TOGO / HANDWASHING
TRT:  1.59
SOURCE: UNICEF
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: FRENCH / NATS

DATELINE: APRIL 2012, LOME, TOGO

SHOTLIST:

1. Various shots, children washing hands
2. SOUNDBITE (French) Sani Amidou, Head of Hygiene and Sanitation Department, Ministry of Health:
"We think that schools are the best place to give a high exposure to these hygiene practices; then, once pupils become fully aware of these, they can disseminate and popularize them in their community."
3. Various shots, children in school
4. Various shots, children making hand washing stations
5. SOUNDBITE (French) Yao Paul Lili, 12, Student, Amoussime Primary School
"We made the tap stopper with a local rubber sandal."
6. Various shots, children at Amoussime Primary School
7. SOUNDBITE (French) Kondi Charles Agba, Minister of Health:
"The best part was when this young boy told us that one of his friends created a tap stopper with a piece of rubber sandal. We were really amazed because this means that by doing so, the water will not be lost. When a pupil stops washing his hands, he will be able to put the rubber stopper back onto the bamboo tap and the water will stop flowing. In addition, they created a device to collect the used water which could be used elsewhere. The water which was used for hand washing can then be used to water a tree or for something else."
8. Various shots, children receiving award
9. Various shots, children washing their hands

STORYLINE:

Hand washing with soap is one of the easiest and most cost effective ways to reduce preventable diseases.

And it's especially important in countries such as Togo, where more than one child in ten dies before the age of five.

SOUNDBITE (French) Sani Amidou, Head of Hygiene and Sanitation Department, Ministry of Health:
"We think that schools are the best place to give a high exposure to these hygiene practices; then, once pupils become fully aware of these, they can disseminate and popularize them in their community."

The problem for many children in Togo is that their schools don't have proper hand washing equipment.

The government, supported by UNICEF launched a competition where children were invited to invent and build a hand washing station.

Children used what was available—things like branches and clay, nails and rubber bands.

SOUNDBITE (French) Yao Paul Lili, 12, Student, Amoussime Primary School
"We made the tap stopper with a local rubber sandal."

The winners were from Amoussime Primary School. Their hand washing station is durable, made from recycled materials, easily made and its parts can be easily replaced.

SOUNDBITE (French) Kondi Charles Agba, Minister of Health:
"The best part was when this young boy told us that one of his friends created a tap stopper with a piece of rubber sandal. We were really amazed because this means that by doing so, the water will not be lost. When a pupil stops washing his hands, he will be able to put the rubber stopper back onto the bamboo tap and the water will stop flowing. In addition, they created a device to collect the used water which could be used elsewhere. The water which was used for hand washing can then be used to water a tree or for something else."

Receiving the award from the hands of the ministers themselves caused great excitement for the children of the winning school, who are mostly from poor backgrounds.

A second competition will commence this year to give other children the opportunity to exercise their ingenuity and protect their health.

Filed under TOGO UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund.