Lessons at the well

Here are 2 third-year EHO trainees from Mohambili University at Yombo primary school, teaching the school children two important lessons. One, how to effectively wash their hands. Two, how to sanitize the tap and look after the water supply.

So often we talk about teaching and promoting handwashing. What struck me was reflecting on what it would be like to learn that skill for the first time. Certainly we take that skill for granted in Canada.

I think I can relate a little bit though. Allow me to try to explain. In my hotel room bathroom, there is what appears to be a hose beside my toilet. Well, now that the local bacteria culture has taken up shop in my bowels and things aren't as solid as I am used to, I would love to learn how to use that hose device. However, as I clearly have no idea how to use that thing, there is no way I am going near it.

OK, bad analogy. But I do think that there is something to it. Putting a well, cistern and tap between the washrooms and the schoolhouses is a wonderful idea, but without education they just sit there (and are likely intimidating to use).

That is where Environmental health comes in.