Hand-washing Promoted in Schools in Axim

Posting article from "The Daily Guide", a newspaper published in Accra, Ghana]Unfortunately, we have no photo of the dedication or of children using the veronica bucket method)

IN ORDER to break the chain of infection and inculcate the habit of hand-washing among pupils, an American professional nurse, Madam Jeanie Birchall has donated hand-washing materials to some basic schools in the Nzema East District of the Western Region.The gifts, which were made up of 40 wash basins, 40 stands, 40 ‘Veronica’ buckets, napkins and packets of soap, were delivered to seven basic schools and an orphanage in Axim last week Tuesday. The beneficiary institutions were the Catholic, Methodist and Anglican basic schools, Manye Academy, Saint Augustinus Preparatory school, Roman Catholic Creche, Axim Girls’ Secondary School and Western Heritage Home.

In 2006, Madam Birchall, who is a member of Global Citizens Journey, a Non-Governmental Organization, went to some schools in the Nzema East District to teach hygiene, and followed it up with the donation.

Mr. John Abugri, Nzema East District Environmental Health Officer, who presented the items on behalf of Madam Birchall, entreated teachers to intensify the teaching of environmental hygiene and personal cleanliness in basic schools.Having demonstrated the proper washing of hands to the pupils, Mr. Abugri pointed out that parents should promote environmental sanitation in order to reduce diseases and medical bills.

Receiving the items, Nana Akye Blay, Public Relations Officer of the Nzema East District Education Directorate, expressed the gratitude of his outfit for Madam Birchall’s gesture.He intimated that teachers in the beneficiary schools would ensure that the items are put to good use in order to fulfill the objectives of the donor.

From Sam Mark Essien, Axim