The project started by purchasing new taps the water container, so that the children now have water to wash their hands with. The old taps were really rusty and stuck in there pretty good. Unfortunately I'm still not strong and manly enough to fix that kind of thing. I managed to remove one of the taps with the help of Oyango, the groundsman, but then I had to call for reinforcements. Regardless, the school now has a way for the children to access water! Huzzah!!
The school already had many toothbrushes from previous donations, so we spent an afternoon labeling each toothbrush so every student would have his or her own.
It was really a never ending pile of toothbrushes... I think 160 in all.
In addition, we donated ten tubes of toothpaste, and have a meeting on Friday with the owner from Khetia's (a supermarket in Bungoma) to see if the school can be sponsored for toothpaste in the future. Now the children brush their teeth every morning before classes start!
We also purchased water canisters so that each classroom can have clean drinking water. That was quite a process...the canisters used to be containers of cooking oil, so they were SO MUCH FUN to clean. Mmmm.
Anyways, to kick off the program, we went around to every classroom explaining the importance of hygiene.
These are the kids in grades 1, 2, and 3, all listening attentively, and only slightly distracted by my camera.
We had two of the younger classes watch the presentation from outside. Here's Juli and Sabrina being wonderful teachers.
The chart Sabrina is holding has all of our steps to our program on it:
1. Brush your teeth every morning after arriving to school.
2. Wash your hands every time after using the toilet. Use soap and water.
3. Wash your hands before every meal. Use soap and water.
4. Be sure to drink enough water every day.
5. Come to school clean every day!
I should put up a picture of the chart so that you can see my lovely art work. Or maybe not...
Ah, this morning I stopped by the school bright and early, and I was so excited to see that our program was actually in action! All the students were outside brushing brushing brushing, with the teachers supervising and helping with the toothpaste. Success!!
And finally, for those of you back home who have forgotten what your favorite Maria looks like, here's a picture of me with two of my favorite students! Ayub Something and Michael Junior. They enjoyed hanging with us in the office while we were labeling toothbrushes hours after school was over. I guess it's more exciting to hang out in the teacher's office when mzungus are there...
That's all for now folks!
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