Global Handwashing Day

“It was quite annoying,” one father in Nigeria told us.

His 9 year old daughter kept asking for soap to wash her hands, something the family didn’t usually buy. He was annoyed. So he went outside and talked with his friends. Together, they agreed it was important, and that they had to listen to their children. Then they began to change family life and the family budget, which is a big deal.

That is what a Handwashing Hero looks like: a child who speaks up, and adults who listen.

Yet 1.7 billion people lacked basic hygiene services in 2024, and 611 million had no handwashing facility at all.

At Children for Health, we believe children are health change agents. In Kamegunyet, Kenya, learners researched water and hygiene, planned what to change and took action. Parents told us they saw it at home too.

We will keep working with schools and communities so more children can lead.
Download our free WASH poster and teach the five moments that matter.