In honor of Global Handwashing 2012, Plan International will host numerous celebrations across the globe in many of its program countries on Monday, October15th.

Plan is working closely with schools, communities, and governments, on both the national and local level, to promote the overwhelming impact of handwashing with soap, particularly on health and education.

This year in Kenya, Plan Kenya has teamed up with district health leaders and local media to reach over 50,000 school children in their Global Handwashing Day program. These youth will participate in a range of interactive activities, including handwashing demonstrations where they will learn the proper techniques and frequency for washing their hands.

Throughout five districts in Pakistan where Plan Pakistan has a presence, local public schools will host a variety of fun and participatory learning events in order promote the importance of handwashing with soap. Teachers, students, community members and local WASH committee members will engage in games, competitions, debates and creative writing activities, all reinforcing the importance of handwashing with soap.

Here's what Plan has done to raise awareness within our program countries:

Indonesia

Sikka District:

• Mass handwashing in 52 primary schools to raise awareness as to the importance of handwashing with soap

Grobogan District:

• Dissimination of 1,000 HWWS posters in food stalls and public spaces where CLTS is being implemented
• Competition to make portable HWWS devices from recycled materials in primary schools and villages
• Global Handwashing Day event at the District Health Office and health centers

India

Uttarpradesh State:

• "5 Steps of Handwashing" demonstration and promotional hygiene videos

Delhi State:

• Dissimination of 1,000 HWWS posters in food stalls and public spaces where CLTS is being implemented
• Launch of animation video on WASH/handwashing
• Demonstrations, street theater, rallies and a video screening within the community

Pakistan

Rahim Yar Khan, Sadiqabad, Khan Pur, and Liaquat Pur:

• Teachers, students, community and WASH committee members will engage in games, competitions, debates and creative writing around the theme of HWWS

Ghotki District:

• Teachers, students, parents, community and WASH committee members will engage in GHW day briefing, education on handwashing techniques and timing will be available

Haiti:

National Level:

• National committee and 3 working groups will coordinate an event in NE and SE with STC. There is the possibility of additional joint activities

PU Level:

• Schools: Distribution of hygiene/sanitation kits and the launch of a cleaning campaign in the NE and SE
• Communities: Distribution of TipiTab to families who have built latrines
• Communitity sensitization on handwashing with a demonstration
• Camps and Health Structures: 3 PUs in the West, sensitization on handwashing and a handwashing demonstration

Kenya

Tharaka PU:

• Mobilization of over 500 primary school children to use soap during handwashing

Kilifi PU:

• Coordination with the District Health Management Team (DHMT) and other partners to target 30,000 children to use soap during handwashing
• Dissemination of health awareness information on sanitation and hygiene

Kwale PU:

• Targeting 22,000 school children for handwashing

Machakos PU:

• Targeting school children in Masinga district
• The creation of an EC banner with slogan and a theme of the day
• Use of the local FM radio for awareness and mobilization
• Discussions on the activities for the day by District Public Health Officer

Ethiopia

Federal Level:

• The National Hygiene and Sanitation Task Force (HSTF) chaired by the MOH and Plan Ethiopia, and the support of other NGOs will coordinate national and regional level programs.

PU Level:

• Events to be determined

Burkina Faso

Public Games:

• Questions and responses on hygiene and sanitation with rewards like toys and t-shirts with WASH messages

Choreographed dance:

• Sanitation themed song and dance

Female bike course:

• Prizes: soap, handwashing materials, and t-shirts with WASH messaging

Ceremony:

• Speeches by Chief Medical Officer of Health of the Kongoussi District and Madam High Commissioner of the province

Handwashing Demonstration:

• The High Commission will demonstrate handwashing to children

Togo

PU Level:

• Sensitization of all PU Staff on handwashing at critical moments

District Level:

• Meetings with local and district authorities on the benefits of regular HWWS

Schools:

• Demonstration of HWWS in 20 schools with newly constructed facilities