Articles and information about Splash and the work we do.
February 27, 2025
Overcoming Barriers to Hygiene in Schools: A Success Story from Bahir Dar
For years, Kulkual Primary School in Bahir Dar faced a tough reality: 1,087 students and 50 staff members trying to learn and work without access to reliable water or restrooms. Nestled in an under-resourced community, mobilizing support for change wasn’t easy.
As a Project WISE target school, Kulkual had access to water, but maintaining proper hygiene—like handwashing with soap—was a challenge. Even after training on hygiene best practices, families hesitated. Many believed soap and sanitary pads were unnecessary or too costly. Some asked, “Why give pads when my child is too young? Why buy soap when it’s not a normal expense?”
Rather than stepping back, the school leaned in. Instead of providing supplies, Splash and Partners in Education Ethiopia encouraged families to contribute to soap and pad drives at the beginning of each school year—an approach designed to foster ownership and long-term sustainability. But the first year was tough. Only a handful of students could bring a bar of soap or a pad, and shared contributions were stretched too thin.
Then, the school leadership tried something new. At the year-end parent-teacher conference, they invited families to see the newly installed Splash-designed water stations in action. For the first time, parents saw their children accessing clean, running water—something previously out of reach. When asked how they could help keep this going, the community was ready to engage.
This time, when the topic of soap and pads came up, the response was different. Parents committed to sending supplies when school resumed the next year. And they followed through—95% of students arrived with soap and a pad or water. With support in place, schools could now focus on what mattered: teaching students how to wash their hands properly and build lifelong hygiene habits.
Soap and pads donated by families at Kulkual Primary School
The impact didn’t stop there. When Donaber Primary School faced similar struggles, they took a page from Kulkual’s playbook. The results were similar. Donaber saw a dramatic increase in soap and pad contributions—from just 30 to nearly 1,700.
The lessons here are clear. First, families' reluctance to contribute stemmed from deeply ingrained beliefs, unfamiliarity, and financial hardships. Addressing these concerns through understanding and gradual involvement proved more effective than direct demands. Furthermore, when families and community members witnessed the improved water stations firsthand, they became more invested in sustaining them. Demonstrating tangible benefits helped overcome skepticism.
Sustainable change happens when communities see the value, have agency to take ownership, and invest in the future of their children. And, as always, access to clean water is just the beginning—real impact comes when communities join in to make hygiene the norm, not the exception.
