Health
"It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver"
There are many barriers which prevent young people from accessing education and health is a less visible one.
Poor health contributes to poor attendance and when children fall behind in class it is not easy to catch up. This is particularly applicable to girls who might miss school due to their periods or whilst attending school might be focused elsewhere, worried that the facilities at their school are unsuited to their immediate needs.
“Yucky” toilet facilities often contribute to students not eating or drinking for fear of using the facilities, which in turn creates hunger and can lead to dehydration and Urinary tract infections.
Even more invisible is the impact of poor diet during childhood which can significantly impact their development, leading to issues like poor brain development, impaired cognitive function, weakened immune system, stunted growth, increased risk of infections and behavioural problems.
Our Programmes
Hand Hygiene.
Over the pandemic we installed hand washing facilities in schools all across Babati, provided kick start soap supplies and taught teachers of the importance of hand hygiene so that they can pass it on to their students. Knowing how and when to wash your hands is so important when student play in the fields and eat with their hands. Diarrhoea is a significant health issue among children in Tanzania, considered a leading cause of child mortality, with prevalence rates varying but often reported to be around 12% among children under five years old; poor sanitation, inadequate access to clean water, and improper hygiene practices are major contributing factors to this problem. If we are able to instil hand washing as the behavioural norm, it can effect future generations.
Menstrual Hygiene
This often taboo subject is managed with great sensitivity. Menstruation is a natural and normal biological function of the female reproductive system, driven by hormonal changes in the body that occur cyclically each month, preparing the uterus for potential pregnancy. If pregnancy does not occur, the lining of the uterus sheds, resulting in menstrual bleeding - making it an integral part of the body's reproductive cycle. This biological, emotion and practical issues of menstruation are poorly taught in schools and misinformation abundant. Our project educates community influencers, teachers, school leaders, boys and girls and helps to establish hygiene clubs where girls can support each other. We ask the community to fund emergency pads for the schools.
Diet.
Our Sustainable Livelihoods Programme can influence food security and therefore impact diet at home. One of the T&Cs of partnering with us is a requirement that the community ensure the provision of a lunchtime meal for students.
We also encourage schools to establish and run market garden projects that can enhance the nutritional value of the meals.
A lunchtime meal boosts energy levels and teachers report far greater afternoon attendance and engagement, which helps them get through the lessons plans.