In Ward 16 of Kubiko Village, one household stands out for its dedication to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) practices. Miriam Madzimure and her family of 8 have transformed their living conditions by ensuring they have a functional toilet and adopting innovative hygiene measures, such as a tippy tap for handwashing.
“Many households in the area, after their toilets were destroyed by harsh weather they resorted to open defecation and cat sanitation methods”, said Kudzai Shuro (38) a Village Health Worker based in Ward 16. Cat sanitation refers to the practice of managing human waste by digging a hole in the ground, where the waste is deposited and buried, Kudzai understands the risks associated with such practices, particularly during health outbreaks like diarrhoeal diseases. She has been actively monitoring and promoting improved hygienic standards in the community.
The triggering sessions that Tsungai Project conducted came as a refresher to the already efforts of encouraging households to heighten hygienic practices. Tsungai is a project being implemented in 10 wards of Gutu District with the objective of providing life-saving humanitarian assistance to meet emergency food security and water, sanitation and hygiene needs, among drought affected vulnerable households targeted by the project.
After participating in triggering sessions, Miriam resorted to installing a tippy tap near the toilet. This simple, foot-operated handwashing device has become an integral part of their daily routine. The Village Health Worker often highlights the importance of handwashing, to community members stating, “Handwashing is one of the most effective ways to prevent illness. The tippy tap encourages both children and adults to wash their hands regularly particularly each time after visiting the toilet; “I constantly conduct sanitation workshops, to educate families on the importance of safe sanitation.”
Miriams children have embraced this practice wholeheartedly, often reminding each other to wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet. The tippy tap not only conserves water but also makes handwashing accessible and easy, contributing significantly to the family’s overall hygiene.
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