Hayat

At Splash, we believe that clean water, proper sanitation, and hygiene are fundamental human rights. Today, we share the story of 10-year-old Hayat, an enthusiastic fourth grader from Addis Ababa whose school life has transformed since Splash’s initiatives brought clean water and better sanitation facilities to her school in Ethiopia.

Meet Hayat

Hayat lives with her mother and six-month-old baby brother. Her father works outside the city. Her favorite activity is playing hide and seek with her friends. Described as a high achiever with excellent communication skills and behavior, Hayat loves to learn. Her favorite subjects are English and Math, and she hopes to become a pilot one day.

A Challenging Environment Before Splash

Before Splash came to Hayat's school, basic hygiene and sanitation were major challenges. The bathrooms were dirty, and it was common for students not to wash their hands after using them due to the lack of proper handwashing stations. “The bathrooms were smelly, and there was no water to flush. We didn’t have a place to wash our hands, and it wasn’t comfortable to use the toilets,” Hayat shared.

Clean drinking water was also scarce. Hayat and her friends often had to bring water from home, but it wasn’t enough to last the entire school day. “Sometimes, the water wasn’t available for the whole week,” she explained, highlighting the struggles many students faced.

A Brighter Future

Since Splash installed new hygiene stations and better bathroom facilities, Hayat's school experience has dramatically improved. “Now, the stations are clean, and we have blue stations for drinking water and orange ones for washing our hands. Our principal made sure we all understand the new system,” she says proudly.

Hayat and her classmates have also learned critical hygiene practices that have not only improved their school environment but also their overall health. “I’ve learned that hygiene starts with oneself. I share what I’ve learned with my friends and family—like washing hands at critical times and keeping our surroundings clean.”

A Passion for Hygiene Education

Hayat’s dedication to hygiene doesn't stop at her personal practices. She’s an active member of her school’s Hygiene Club, where she helps spread hygiene messages to other students. One of her favorite activities is presenting during the morning flag ceremony. “I was so happy when I saw that my messages helped students start washing their hands with soap and water after using the toilet,” she shared.

The club has already organized events like Global Handwashing Day and World Toilet Day, and Hayat and her fellow members plan to expand their efforts in the coming year by involving more students and using creative platforms to promote hygiene.

What surprised Hayat most in her hygiene training was how easy it is to prevent diseases by simply washing hands with soap and water. This simple act, which was once difficult due to lack of resources, is now empowering her and her peers to live healthier lives.

Looking Ahead

Hayat’s story is a testament to the power of clean water and sanitation in transforming lives. She can focus on her studies, stay healthy, and pursue her dreams with confidence. We look forward to seeing what Hayat and other students like her will achieve with the support of safe water and hygiene education.

Join Splash in Our Mission

Stories like Hayat’s are just the beginning. With your support, we can continue to bring clean water and better sanitation to schools around the world, giving more children the chance to thrive. Together, we can make a difference—one school, one student, one splash at a time.