By Sharon Runge and James Musyoka | Executive Directors
The number of students with worm related physical signs has greatly reduced due to the medications" Mr. Kyuu, Kyeengai PS
Deworming is one of the most effective and cost-efficient strategies to help kids stay healthy and in school. As a result of dirty water, unclean sanitation and the lack of soap, many children become infected with parasitic worms. Deworming allows children to better absorb nutrients, combating malnutrition and ensuring their immune system is not compromised. The deworming takes place quarterly during the school year, and just last week our staff, in conjunction with the public health officer, dewormed 6,193 students and 393 teachers at 30 of our partner schools. Wow!
During deworming exercises at the schools, the Public Health Officer also talks about the importance of hand washing and teaches students when to wash hands and how to do it. Kenya Connect has installed hand washing stations at all of our 55 partner schools, and at 23 of our schools, students in the health clubs are making liquid soap. This soap making is self-sustaining since student health clubs sells this liquid soap to families to use at their homesteads. We have found that when students wash their hands at school and at home they stay healthier.
Our first-ever health project was the installation of water tanks so that students could have clean water at school. These water tanks fill up during the rains and can last 3-6 months. Recently students at Glenbard HS raised funds for a new tank as well as the parish of Christ Church Glendale. Clean water is a true gift.
Keeping "Poop in the Loop" is our most recent initiative to keep kids healthy and to provide clean sanitation. Thanks to Kenya Connect's partner, GiveLove, we are piloting composting toilets at five schools as well as for families at their homesteads. This elegant and low-tech solution is clean, does not smell or have flies and is easy to manage. Teachers, students and families are applauding the toilets and are looking forward to using the rich compost on their farms. The compost takes 9-12 months to mature and our compost managers are regularly monitoring the compost digesters to ensure success.
None of these health initiatives would be possible without donors like you! Your support provides the infrastructure and support for our team to create, manage and expand these important programs. Thank you for contributing to Kenya Connect. We couldn't do it without you!
By Sharon Runge and James Musyoka | Executive Directors
By Sharon Runge and James Musyoka | Executive Directors
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