UNICEF South Africa -Let’s Give Children a Brighter Future!

Every child deserves to live in a world where access to clean, running water is a basic daily reality, and where health and hygiene facilities are readily available to them. And yet for many living in economically under-resourced communities, these basic needs are not a daily reality. UNICEF South Africa is working to set that right.

Childhood in an informal settlement is generally synonymous with poor sanitation as these areas often have limited access to running water in homes which puts children at high risk of contracting diseases. UNICEF South Africa is working to change that.

Group handwashing stations, an innovative and functional initiative supported by UNICEF South Africa, have become the means for change in the lives of children in these communities.

We will build it…

Despite the simplicity and efficacy of handwashing and basic hygiene practices in curbing the spread of infectious diseases, the promotion and implementation of these practices in densely populated and under-resourced communities remain a challenge.

UNICEF South Africa identified this and created a solution — building handwashing stations in schools across under-resourced communities across the country.

The process of building a handwashing station involves laying a concrete slab as the foundation, erecting a stable roof structure, and installing plastic piping with up to 16 nozzles connected to fresh water from a large plastic container. Each station includes soap on a rope.

As a permanent structure, a handwashing station provides a long term investment to improve the overall health and hygiene of children.

And the children will come…

There is compelling research and sufficient evidence to indicate that handwashing with soap and water is an essential activity to stop the spread of disease.

In poverty-stricken areas, where children do not have access to clean running water at home, group handwashing stations in schools become the starting point for promoting essential healthy habits in children. The improved overall health of children reduces absenteeism from school, resulting in brighter futures.

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To highlight the sustainability of this initiative, schools are encouraged to grow a food garden around the handwashing station to benefit from the run-off water. The vegetables grown will be used to supplement school meals. In doing so, the nutrition and overall health of the learners are further enhanced.

Because the need is great!

In 2019, with funding from Woolworths, along with the Gauteng Department of Basic Education and MIET Africa, we were able to construct 20 handwashing stations at schools in Sedibeng East and West in Gauteng. Montsosi Primary in Sebokeng, a township in west Gauteng, is an ‘on-the-ground’ example of the difference one handwashing station can make.

But that is just the start. The need is great, and you can now play an integral role in moving this initiative even further.

UNICEF South Africa

UNICEF South Africa is working tirelessly to promote the rights of every child and is committed to programmes that will help children reach their full potential.

But it is your help that makes this possible.

By contributing towards UNICEF South Africa, you are investing in the healthy future of a child. By supporting our Little Hands Matter campaign, you are helping to build a handwashing station which will have a sustainable and long-term impact across communities in South Africa.

Your partnership and donation today will not only enable us to reach our next milestone of 10 stations but will also become an instrument in redefining the future of children across South Africa.