Hygiene awareness training held in northern Ugandan refugee settlements
Towards the end of March 2020, Peace Winds started a new project aiming to raise hygiene awareness in the refugee settlements of Rhino Camp and Bidi Bidi in northern Uganda. This article focuses on activities conducted in the Bidi Bidi refugee camp.
In late September 2020, we began conducting hygiene awareness training as part of our hygiene promotion activities at the Kenavaly Elementary School inside the Bidi Bidi refugee settlement. We made sure to teach and transfer responsibility to the school health club in order for the community to continue to maintain good hygiene after we leave. Currently in Uganda, as a measure to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, large gatherings are prohibited. Therefore, the number of people attending these trainings and meetings were carefully reduced in order to comply with regulations.
The purpose of the training was to teach the necessary knowledge and skills to develop better hygiene habits to residents in order to prevent illnesses and to maintain cleanliness in the school.
The main contents of the training are as follows:
・ Thinking about the role of the school health club
・ Review of sanitary and water supply facilities in schools
・ Thinking about the ideal school
・ Learning how to make a simple tap for hand-washing
・ Learning how to wash your hands properly
・ Learning the transmission route of infectious diseases as well as preventative measures
Participants discussed these topics led by Peace Winds staff and advisors and towards the end also discussed possible future activities to raise awareness.
Isaac joined the health club because he wanted to learn more about health
and pass on what he learned to other students. He was nominated to represent
the health club in the future and to make decisions regarding things such as
regular cleaning times and the division of roles. He said after the training,
“I was able to reconsider the role and importance of the health club. I
also learned a lot about infectious diseases.”
Mrs. Florence, a teacher at the school, told us it was the first time she had received
training like this. “I learned a lot
from this training, and I’m very happy. But, many other students’ still lack
health and hygiene knowledge so we must change that.”
In the future, the health club will not only involve club members but also other students and PTAs to carry out activities involving the entire school as well as locals. Peace Winds is also planning to provide training on menstrual hygiene management at the school. We pledge to continue our support to South Sudanese refugees as well as other refugees and people in need around the world.
Thank you for your support.
* This project is possible through the support of the Japan Platform.