Launched in partnership with the Ethiopian Ministry of Education, Sightsavers International, Unilever, and Big Win Philanthropy, the Super School of 5 (SSo5) was launched as part of the Seqota Declaration and commitment to end child undernutrition in the country by 2030. With approximately 50% of undernutrition associated with infections caused by poor water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) access, leading to diarrheal disease and respiratory infections, improvements in hygiene among school children were prioritized as a component of the declaration.
Implemented in several countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, with adaptations to align to in-country school health programs, the Super School of 5 worked to encourage proper hand and face washing through a unique 21-day implementation approach, aided by bespoke materials. Revolving around 5 hygiene ‘superheroes’ who each represented a specific occasion in which to wash hands, materials included comics, games, songs, and flipcharts, as well as Glo-Germ Kits that consisted of powder and an ultraviolet torch to demonstrated the spread of germs and benefits of washing with soap.
Selected as the implementing partner in the Tigray and Amhara Regions of Ethiopia, NALA worked closely with the local government and school community to train champion teachers, carry out awareness workshops, and engage community leaders and parents in the projects. With reports of improvements in cleanliness and reductions in infection from schools, the SSo5 program proved to be successful in targeted schools, generating interest and excitement amongst students and communities. Highlights included greater water access and functional hand washing stations in schools, the provision of soap by the school community, a strengthened link between school and community programs, and reduced incidence of diarrhea and trachoma.
NALA was proud to be a partner in this project, contributing to improved health for children in Ethiopia.