By Meiyoshi A Masgon

Striving for continued health, well-being, and productivity for ourselves, our families, and our communities is a way of looking forward to our future. Handwashing is an affordable, efficient, and effective way to achieve our goals. Handwashing with soap has the power to improve access to education for children, protect the health of patients and communities, and reduce inequities. It has an important role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) – contributing to zero hunger, good health, quality education, reduced inequalities, and more.

October 15 marks the annual celebration of Global Handwashing Day, dedicated to increasing the awareness and understanding of the importance of handwashing with soap. Global Handwashing Day focuses on children because not only do they suffer disproportionately from diarrheal and respiratory diseases and deaths, but research shows that children – the segment of society so often the most energetic, enthusiastic, and open to new ideas – can also be powerful agents for changing behaviors like handwashing with soap in their communities. (GHD, 2005)

Handwashing with soap can be a “do-it-yourself” vaccine because it is easy, effective, and affordable. If it will be developed into an ingrained habit, it could save more lives than any single vaccine or medical intervention. However, handwashing with soap is seldom practiced and difficult to promote despite its lifesaving potential.

This year's theme is Clean Hands - A Recipe for Health. Every year, the Sustainable Sanitation Center (SuSan Center) under the research-based unit of the Jose P Rizal School of Medicine of Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan has selected local partner schools for the Global Handwashing Day activities. This year, the center conducted the Global Handwashing Day activities at Baybay Elementary School of Baybay, Alubijid, Misamis Oriental and Langaon Elementary School of Langaon, Baungon Bukidnon. During the celebration, they conducted a quiz bowl, on-the-spot poster-making contest, and classroom orientations on the importance of handwashing and toothbrushing. They also conducted handwashing and toothbrushing drills to highlight its importance, especially handwashing during critical times (before eating and after using the toilet).

The prizes for the activities were toothbrushes, tubes of toothpaste, bath soaps, hand towels, grocery packs, and school materials. Food packs were also distributed to kids during the activity. These prizes were sourced from different donor partners: GROUP Foundation Inc, Alubijid Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office (MSWD), Joy Bañares, Gissel Abuyan, XUJPRSM faculty, staff, and students. Their heartfelt donation contributed to the success of the activities.

Educating children on handwashing in schools is important, as it allows children to learn about hygiene at a receptive age, as well as having immediate and long-term health benefits. The earlier behavior is changed in life, the longer the lifespan of the change. By providing a healthy or unhealthy environment, the schools partly determine children’s health and wellbeing.

The schools can also be a key factor for initiating change by helping to develop useful skills and routine for health and hygiene. Children are eager to learn and willing to absorb new ideas. Sanitation and hygiene behavior learned in school can lead to life-long positive habits. Teachers can function as role models not only for the children but also within the community. School children can influence the behavior of family members - both adults and younger siblings - and thereby positively influence the community as a whole.∎ 

Classroom Orientation on Handwashing, Langaon Elementary School

Poster-making contestants with the teachers and organizers. Contributed photo. 

Showcase of talents by Langaon Elementary School pupils. Contributed photo.

Classroom orientation on handwashing conducted by a medical student at Alubijid Elementary School. Contributed photo.

Tooth brushing drill at Alubijid Elementary School. Contributed photo.

Awarding of quiz bowl winner with teachers, medical students, and staff of the Sustainable Sanitation Center at Alubijid Elementary School. Contributed photo.