The WASH Foundation, an evolution of Clean the World Foundation renewed and strengthened its commitment to the Merikit community in Tororo, Uganda, during the recent celebration of International Day of the Girl Child and a separate 3-day event focused on our WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) programming.  Topics highlighted during both events included proper handwashing techniques and practices; menstrual health and hygiene for school-aged girls; and healthy breastfeeding practices and nutrition for mothers and mothers-to-be.  Read more

The following testimonials capture our impact in Uganda.

“In 2019, we started with a needs assessment, and we found out that 40% of the girls were missing classes.  There was lack of knowledge…there were a lot of myths around menstrual hygiene.  [Since The WASH  Foundation introduced its WASH programming in the Merikit community], absenteeism in school has dropped from 40% to 5%”. – Mebra Lwabaayi, Project Coordinator, The WASH Foundation

“They have introduced washing that has helped us get rid of other diseases like diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid.  Now we have clean water [and] they introduced for us liquid soap which has helped us to wash our hands frequently.” – Sarah Benita, Student at St. Richard Primary School 

“We had so many problems with the girls dropping out of school because of menstruation…but since Clean the World came to Merikit, the issue of girl menstruation has been solved. We have got the program of teaching the girl child how to make their own reusable pads using local materials provided by Clean the World.” Oboi John Baptist, Matron at Merikit High School 

The WASH Foundation first introduced its WASH programming to the Merikit community of Tororo, Uganda in 2019.  In collaboration with local community leaders and educators, we designed a WASH education training program to raise awareness of the importance of proper handwashing techniques with soap, particularly at critical times such as before eating and after visiting the latrine. The program launched at six different schools with a total population of 3,700 students and at the community’s healthcare facility that serves over 15,000 residents.  The program also includes a menstrual health and hygiene education component that addresses the issue of girls’ absenteeism from school due to cultural myths surrounding menstruation as well as lack of access to adequate feminine hygiene supplies such as sanitary pads.

This holiday season, you can help keep the girls of Merikit in school by donating to our Menstrual Health and Hygiene program!