My study focused on personal hygiene, oral hygiene, hand-wash and environmental sanitation, while I expected to bring about some changes in the lives of the underprivileged children by helping them lead a healthy life. Eventually, my project ‘Hygienic Nepal’ was born.[break]
My first step was to carry out a survey on the status of personal hygiene and sanitation among the Tharu children. I employed questionnaires (of 12 questions) and interviews to conduct the survey. For this I identified 32 children from 30 households at the Magradi-1 area.
Realizing the need for a change in their behavior and lifestyle after a five-day-long survey, I conducted an awareness campaign on the occasion of Global Hand Washing Day on October 15 in which the 32 children participated. The awareness campaign included informing children about the risks they are being exposed to due to the lack of personal hygiene and unhealthy environment.
I also imparted them some of the methods of maintaining personal hygiene and environmental sanitation. I provided them with the basic knowledge on oral hygiene such as brushing teeth, and washing hands thoroughly before and after every meal. The central focus of my work was on hand-washing. I made them aware about the importance of washing hands, and also demonstrated the six correct steps of washing hands, which I had learned at my school. With a few friendly moments and distribution of soaps and toothbrushes, my awareness campaign concluded.
Later, I discovered that my work had a significant impact on their lives. The children between 5-12 age group were totally unaware of their health, but they were very much eager to learn about it. After having learned about the risks bad hygiene can expose them to, they are now conscious enough to promote their health and hygiene. Knowledge imparted on oral hygiene and hand-washing through demonstrations has helped them implement what they’ve learned, bringing about some positive changes in their behavior. The children are now actually practicing the procedures of washing hands and brushing teeth.
When I approached the parents of the children who had been a part of my hygiene program, I came to know that the children are not only paying due attention to their personal hygiene but also sharing their knowledge with friends and families. Moreover, the toothbrushes and soaps distributed to the Tharu children proved to encourage them for paying attention to their health and hygiene.
Hence, my small effort at bringing a positive change didn’t go in vain. I feel really happy and more responsible now. I plan to expand my work and include newer programs to my campaign, such as proper disposal of human excreta, managing toilets, maintaining a clean environment and preparing hygienic meals for their families. This may prove the rationality of my work and satisfy my zeal. I heartily wish to continue such initiatives in the days to come as I believe, “No matter how we try to make the world a better place, the first step always starts with helping each other.”
Drishti is representing Nepal in the Horlicks Quiz slated for November 10 in Bangalore.
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