Soap Donation Changes Nursery School Environment - Aaron Lewani

In partnership with Water Journey and Pfizer, Goods for Good recently donated 400 bottles of anti-biotic hand sanitizer and soap to Consol Homes Orphan Care. This contribution was the result of several discussions in which the directors of Consol Homes expressed their urgent desire to improve hygiene in the over 120 community based childcare centers (CBCCs) they support. This is particularly important at the centers that prepare and serve meals to the children in attendance.

In order to observe the impact the soap was having and observe the caregivers in action, I traveled to Consol Homes to visit a full day of nursery classes at Kakoma CBCC. Upon arrival, I witnessed the class in session outside under a mango tree with children sitting on the bare ground. It was instantly clear to me that children’s health in this environment needed to be made a priority. Despite the circumstances, children continued reciting letters from the alphabet and eagerly vying for the teacher’s attention in order to show off their skills.


In preparation for mealtime, the children sang a song about health: “Kusamba manja ndikofunika kwambiri,” meaning “washing hands before eating is very important.” Next, each child washed their hands using a drop of anti-biotic soap provided by the teachers. Smiles were abundant, and it was clear the children enjoyed the new routine. The teachers had plenty of positive things to say as well: “Now our work is very easy. Since we started using the new soap, all the children rush to have their hands washed and rub the soap on their hands,” said Janet Oswadi, one of the teachers. “If by chance you forget to give the soap to one of the children, they refuse to move out of the line until they have received their drop,” she added.


With clean hands, the children were taken back to their “classroom.” Patiently seated in the shade of the mango tree, they waited for teachers to hand out the food the children had brought from home. Children were encouraged to share with classmates whose parents were unable to provide them with lunches. I was astonished to see that the children did not think twice about giving some of what little they had to their fellow classmates. After the food had been distributed, one of the children offered a prayer and then they all began eating. Everything from mangos to traditional African cakes were enjoyed in the safety of a germ-free environment.

It was clear to me that the anti-biotic soap is making a real difference. Teachers told me that since they started using the anti-biotic soap, children have stopped complaining of stomach aches, and class attendance has increased by 25%. Encouraged parents are now sending their children to the nursery schools because they know it is a disease free environment. Said Mrs. Chapomba, the Assistant Director for Consol Homes, “Please inform our friends in the US that the soap is helping us a lot. Cases of children becoming ill in the CBCCs have completely disappeared.” I am proud to report the success of the project and the better health of the children involved.