Bereket

A grade 5 student at Urael Kindergarten and Primary School, Bereket enjoys reading books and playing football. He is interested in the environment, plants, and animals, so his favorite school subject is science. When he grows up, he wants to be a pilot so he can visit as many countries as possible!

Bereket and his little sister attend the same school, where Bereket is a member of the Hygiene Club. He first heard about the club during the morning flag ceremony, when his teacher shared with him the importance of joining. He enjoys his responsibilities as a Hygiene Club member - interacting with other students and talking about the importance of drinking clean water.

Bereket remembers his first hygiene training. He was already excited to learn about personal and environmental hygiene, water treatment methods, and how to transfer his own knowledge to others. Before Splash, he used to wash his hands with only water and did not understand the importance of using soap. He says that he and other students thought they could tell if water was safe to drink by looking at the color, but he has since learned that that doesn't necessarily mean the water is clean. During the training, he learned water treatment techniques he could use at home, like boiling and purification chemicals. For instance, at home, his family uses chlorine to treat the tap water they drink.

Hygiene Club members wear vests at school to identify themselves. In the morning, they sing songs during flag ceremonies. During breakfast and lunch breaks, Bereket and other club members share short lessons on hygiene through school announcements as well as facilitate handwashing before meals. If they encounter any problems, like lack of soap or students who don't want to wash their hands, they reach out to their focal teacher, the club sponsor, for support.

Bereket is proud of his duties as a Hygiene Club member. In the coming year, he plans to share what he's learned with his friends who do not attend his school, and talk to their parents about his hygiene and water safety knowledge. At school and at home, Bereket is building a healthier community.