CLEAN HANDS AT SCHOOL PROJECT (Improving children's health through hand hygiene in schools)

In Benin, the mortality rate for children under five remains one of the highest in the world, and diarrhoea is the main cause. Handwashing with soap is the main preventive measure to be implemented to reduce child mortality. Diarrhoea is easily preventable with simple measures.

The "Clean Hands" project led by the NGO SEJIDHA consists of installing hand-washing facilities in schools in the Zou region (southern Benin) in order to improve the hygiene conditions of pupils. This action is accompanied by a manual of good practices and the deployment of training for teachers and students.

This project fits into the broader context of access to water and sanitation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6: Ensure access to sustainably managed water supply and sanitation services for all.

The aim of the one-year "Clean Hands" project is to reduce the average rate of sick children from 30% to 15%. This project may be followed by a second phase with deployment in 8 other schools.