- Scottsdene daycare celebrated Global Handwashing Day with fun activities for children to learn the importance of hygiene.
- The event featured storytelling, games, and a handwashing demonstration.
- The goal was to teach kids how to prevent the spread of germs and stay healthy.
Why are clean hands still important? – a vital question discussed at a children’s day-care centre in Scottsdene last week.
Officials from the environmental health department hosted an event at Victory Kiddies care to mark Global Handwashing Day on 15 October.
Global handwashing day was initiated by the Global Handwashing Partnership in 2008 and is celebrated every year on this date, its aim to remind people of the importance of hand hygiene.
The Kraaifontein environmental health office celebrated this day with 100 children and nine teachers from three early childhood development centres namely Gina’s Daycare Educare; Morning Sun Educare and Wilma’s Educare under the theme “Why are clean hands still important?”
The excited group of little ones were entertained with various activities such as storytelling and games, a special visit from Libbie the Bee and off course a hand-washing demonstration in which they eagerly engaged.
Other City departments such as Libraries, Sports and Recreation and Water and Sanitation joined in the festivities.
“Handwashing plays an important role in disease prevention.
“When washing your hands you need to wash your hands for a minimum of 10-20 seconds.
“It is important to wash the palm of your hands, the back of your hands and between your fingers,” says Myrna Fillis a senior environmental health practitioner.
The children left with the important message imprinted in their minds:
“Don’t spread Germs, Wash your Hands.
“Do this before, during and after preparing food, before and after eating food; after using the bathroom; after taking out the trash, and after coughing or blowing your nose.”
