Think about your school's current WASH practices. What aspects are working well, and where are the gaps?
In my school, current WASH practices include (working well)
Handwashing bowls for students at different locations
Daily health checkups with Medical Research Council based on partnership
Student counselors help in the process of monitoring the toilet facilities in terms of cleanliness.
There is proper waste management to keep the environment clean and conducive for learning.
Gaps:
Limited toilet facilities, which requires renovation
Inadequate sanitary materials for the girls.
How have you personally contributed to strengthening WASH systems, if at all?
I have personally contributed to strengthening WASH in my school by organising cleansing activities led by the Environmental Club
Create awareness by inviting personnel from the National Environmental Agency and the Bakau Health Centre to talk on keeping the environment clean and health- and safety-related issues, respectively.
Advocated for additional toilet facilities from the government through the MoBSE.
Which component of the unit challenged your thinking most, why?
The component of the unit that challenged my thinking is community participation. WASH practices require support from stakeholders, and community involvement is crucial. Bakau community hardly supports the school, and this could have an impact on student performance, especially when the girls are menstruating, as there would be some form of absenteeism.
Reflect on three concrete actions you plan to take as a WASH leader in your school.
1. Establish a school club to promote peer learning on WASH practices.
2. Create awareness sessions on a regular basis about hygiene
3. Ensure that toilets are kept clean and the waste is properly managed.