More than 5000 pupils and 100 teachers from three primary schools in Malindi and Magarini constituency in Kilifi county have benefited with Handwashing stations to help in fighting the covid 19 pandemic in the learning institutions.
The project was implemented through a partnership between Amref Health Africa Kenya and Absa bank Kenya limited to help cushion against the pandemic.
Pupils who benefited are from three primary schools including Mjanaheri, Marereni, and Mkaomoto which got 20 handwashing stations together with water storage tanks.
Neighboring communities shall also be trained on Covid 19 prevention measures.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 7 out of 10 schools lack basic handwashing facilities and half of schools lack basic sanitation and water services.
Authorities said Proper hand hygiene in schools have a ripple effect on pupils as better hygiene promotes better health and a healthier school environment increases the level of productivity for both teachers and pupils.
Speaking during the official handing over of the project at Mjanaheri Martin Muchangi WASH&NTDs Programme Director Amref Health Africa Kenya said the project complements the Government of Kilifi County’s COVID-19 response efforts.
“We are ensuring that communities, including schools, have correct information about COVID-19 and can access water and sanitation facilities as a cost-effective first line of defense in the fight against the virus,’’ he said
Absa’ Director of Corporate and Institutional Banking James Agin said the bank’s vision is to become a leading, purpose-orientated, African bank that is systemically rooted in the countries it serves and strives to be a real force-for-good in the society.
Agin said they have also distributed 4000 school bags to children and 20,000 reusable masks to different students across the country
“As a bank, we acknowledge that it is our role to support people and communities around us while conducting our business and view it as the right thing to do.,” he said
He said they are committed to hold the hands of Kenyans during this difficult period adding that they are happy to support deserving cases through such initiatives.
Agin said the intervention between Absa and Amref is a booster to the nationwide efforts to defeat this virus.
He said to ensure the schools’ community are empowered with information about Coronavirus, the project has built the capacity of the teachers and pupils on COVID-19 prevention and control developed child-friendly messages on handwashing and nudges which are appealing to children encouraging them to wash their hands.
Ismael Baro the Magarini sub cOunty director of Education said covid 19 has had many challenges and thanked Amref and Absa bank for their efforts to help in the schools.
He said Kilifi county also has had challenges of teenage pregnancy but revealed that soon strategies will be laid out to ensure the problem is addressed
Andrew Furaha Magarini sub-county ECD director said they are happy to receive support from the two organizations to add up to what the county government of Kilifi had already done.