Sani Haruna
CARE, in partnership with FAcE-PaM and the Kebbi State Ministry of Health, has commemorated the 2025 Global Handwashing Day with a community outreach event in Suru Local Government Area.
The celebration, themed “Be a Handwash Hero,” was organised under the CASCADE project to promote proper hand hygiene as a vital tool in disease prevention and improved public health.
The programme featured an opening prayer, welcome remarks, sensitisation sessions, a live demonstration of proper handwashing techniques, and an interactive question-and-answer session.
Speaking at the event, the Nutrition Focal Person, represented by the Assistant Nutrition Focal Person, expressed appreciation to CARE and FAcE-PaM for selecting Suru as the host community.
He noted that residents of the area had greatly benefited from the CASCADE project and pledged continued collaboration to achieve its objectives.
During the sensitisation session, Mr. Dogara Richard Hakuri, Health and Nutrition Technical Officer, underscored the importance of handwashing with soap, describing it as one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to prevent disease transmission and reduce child mortality.
Also speaking, Mrs. Sarah Abana, Gender Officer, highlighted the role of handwashing in preventing communicable and non-communicable diseases such as diarrhoea and pneumonia, particularly among children under five.
She encouraged participants to use clean, running water and soap instead of stagnant water and to promote the practice within their communities.
Mrs. Abana also led a live demonstration on effective handwashing using a locally made “tippy tap”, assisted by selected male and female participants.
The event attracted 70 participants, including traditional and religious leaders, community representatives, and health personnel. Participants described the exercise as enlightening and impactful.
One participant said, “We wash our hands because we use them to eat and do many other things daily.” Another noted that she learned alternative handwashing methods using ash, salt, or detergent when soap is unavailable.
Key outcomes from the event included strengthened collaboration between community influencers and health promoters, increased awareness of the connection between hygiene, nutrition, and disease prevention, and renewed commitment from local leaders to sustain hand hygiene education.
The programme concluded with a group photograph of participants and facilitators.