WASH: Most Significant Change
No Strings International partnered with Northumbria University to measure behaviour change in our WASH programme for children in sub-Saharan Africa in a project funded by HIF, the Humanitarian Innovation Fund.
At the Health Club, the priority is the speediest, most effective means of hand washing
Following the pilot of our work in Kawangware, Nairobi, quantitative findings following pre and post intervention observations revealed that 52% of children were washing their hands with soap before lunch each day, compared to 2% before.
We also conducted a Most Significant Change qualitative study (where direct and indirect beneficiaries identify the principal benefit themselves). Here we share some of the most significant change impressions of Health Club teachers and pupils in our five pilot schools.
Health Club member discussion: designing the classroom-based systems they think will work best
Lucas, Health Club Teacher
Pupils are able to carry out hand washing without being forced, without exposing them to any kind of punishment. They they have embraced it as their own. The health club members have embraced the club, unlike before, they thought it was for the teacher but now they feel it is theirs. The hygiene has become a part of them. I feel I have achieved something.
Lucy, Health Club Teacher
The change in awareness of menstrual hygiene for the girls. We have bridged the gap between the child and the teachers, with children feeling confident to speak to the teachers about this. We have noticed that the children are less absent and they can concentrate on their academic work even more. It has changed everyone’s minds.
Making Mr Poops from re-usable bags
Beatrice, Health Club Teacher
I have learnt from NSI that you can use a practical approach as a form of teaching. From this, I have taken them to my own classroom and taught other subjects in this way.
Lois, Health Club Teacher
Children used to not fully understand how to use a latrine, so they would go to the toilet and come out of it soiled due to falling over inside. However, from teaching them how to use it properly, I rarely see this happen as faeces are no longing on the walls or next to the hole.
Children lead awareness messaging
Anita, Health Club Teacher
Of all those things I would pick the one on talents. I think for a long time we have denied the children the means to express themselves and do what they love most. Why is it important? For many children it’s the talents that help them the most to make their way in life. We don’t choose a child for a doctor who parrots the teacher. We have been having a very low opinion on art. It’s important because they do something for themselves. Have confidence in telling their stories and expressing. And it’s good for all children because they need each other. The programme means they have to work together and say I do this part and you do that part. Whether we want it or not we have to come together in order to succeed. During the elections children from different tribes kept themselves very separate. The teachers too! Now we’re all together. This approach helps them develop that understanding about good co-existence.
Setting up ‘taps’, two for each classroom, as recommended by Health Club children
Ann, Health Club Teacher
For me the most significant change of all these is the effect on parents, or the way I think we can reach parents through AGM meetings using No Strings. Parents are the key people here, but if hand-washing is not happening at home then it won’t work. We will still have children getting sick. We all have to work together – parents, patrons, Club members and children.
Charity,12
For me, the coolest thing is that No Strings allows you to be more friendly with others and make new friends in the Health Club because we work together to make a show. Children understand each other more so it’s easy this way. And maybe if you are a slow learner your friend might teach you.
Teacher Ann and pupils make soap every month
Daniel, Health Club Teacher
I’m picking on habit formation because it sums up everything there. Since we introduced No Strings in our school, what we have taught these students many are putting in practice in school and at home. This habit can also be observed in teachers and workers in school.
Lydia, Health Club Teacher
It’s the one about change in the community. Why, because what we teach our children should be reflected in the community. The change should be evident. I feel really proud of observing that change.
Using puppetry for menstrual hygiene awareness
Victoria, 13
For me, the most significant change is the way puppets can be used to attract girls like me to use sanitary pads. When they were brought to us we didn’t know what is this and how to use them. I was just thinking they were disposable. Our teacher told us that we should not throw them away but go home and rinse them in cold water and salt. In the puppet show we created, the girl didn’t want a period and her dress was in a mess. The period said she should always be happy and confident. This way I can help other girls not be afraid of using them and washing them – it’s only their own blood. And these ones don’t leak. You find a lot of girls are in a mess or don’t come to school, and we don’t concentrate at school when periods are new. We don’t shower. We are afraid boys will pick on us.
Pupils put themselves in charge of maintaining water, soap, and overseeing practices
Jellen, Health Club Teacher
For me an important change is how I think about using the No Strings tools to reach parents. Things like letting children take puppets home, doing class meetings and AGMs and when we open the school after holidays. We can use the kids when we have the AGM. You can have the film portray the message and use the puppets for discussion. With kids and parents maybe we can group them maybe five groups with parents and kids. And maybe do a school or a community model and have them point out the links between behaviour and disease.