Songs in the key of poo

Since 2014, the humanitarian organisation I'm working for has been building latrines for primary schools in the Central African Republic.

During the recent conflict, school buildings were badly damaged, and even before that, latrines were in a pretty shocking state. Pits were overflowing, floors were collapsing, doors didn’t close, and most children and teachers preferred to use the bush. So here we come, with lovely new toilet blocks!

One of our school toilet blocks in Lobaye

All of this building is great, but it wouldn’t make much difference unless people knew that they should wash their hands, and were able to keep the latrine clean.

So we help schools to set up their own Hygiene Clubs, with pupils and teachers. These brilliant people are trained by our staff, and take on the task of telling everyone in the school about using the latrines correctly and washing their hands.

The Club works in small teams. Some teams make posters to put up around the school, reminding people to wash their hands. Other teams make up short plays and perform them – students love this – showing how to use the latrine properly.

The teams take it in turns to clean the latrine, using brushes, gloves and detergent, replace toilet paper and make sure there is soap and water for washing hands.

At break times, four Club members stand by the latrines. They make sure everyone knows how to use them (this is important, because the design is different from last time) and remind people to wash their hands as they come out.

They do this by singing songs, such as ‘Wash your hands, it will save your life,’ and ‘Be a happy child, keep your bottom clean.’

Never in my life have I heard a song that fills me with quite as much joy (and makes me giggle every time I think of it) as ‘Be a happy child.’ It's working!