Families are the primary place for learning. In Nigeria, Aisha Yakubu, Global Peace Women Leadership Academy (GPWLA) Graduate used the family model to expand sanitation and hygiene practises in homes in her community.
Through her project, “WASH 4 Family” Aisha raised awareness on Wash, Sanitation and Hygiene to families in her community by hosting trainings for mothers and daughters. She partnered with Husna Academy and Jamar Health Foundation for the project and the joint effort resulted in an 80% improvement on sanitation and hygiene and 75% knew to locally produce their own soap and disinfectant. Aisha was awarded the Global Women Dream (GWD) grant to implement her project.
Thirty families participated in the program with mothers and daughters representing each family. Besides this, Aisha was also able to engage her community by recruiting volunteers and resource persons from the community itself. Aisha says that choosing volunteers and resource persons from the community gives a “sense of ownership” and that “it makes it easier to pass down the knowledge learnt”. She further added that the knowledge learnt would then extend to the entire community.
The participants appreciated the practical guidance on handwashing, garbage disposal and cleaning.
Habiba said, “I will definitely increase the number of times I wash my toilets and throw out my garbage from once a week to three times a week.” Farisa was excited to “apply it at home” and teach her family and neighbours.
The post survey results showed a 20% reduction in diseases in the community. Participants benefited from sanitation and hygiene practises during WASH. “I am very happy my mother asked me to represent my family in this project. I have learnt a lot and I hope to improve my hygiene practices. I am also very happy to learnt how to make soap and disinfectant. I will definitely try it at home and even make some to sell.” said Hauwa Abubakar, a participant from the program.
Despite challenges in transportation and implementation, Aisha completed a unique project that capitalised on the power of the family to make positive change. “I am really excited about the enthusiasm the participants have shown towards learning about WASH and how they have applied it in their homes and communities within a short period of time,” she said. Her project shows that when families and communities are engaged, the results are long term solutions.
The GWD grant is a joint initiative of Global Peace Women and Service for Peace Korea which provides opportunities for Women to develop their leadership and initiate their own project. If you would like to know more about the GWD, please email info@globalpeacewomen.org for dates and proposals. Global Peace Women International announces open call for the Global Women Dream (GWD) grant proposals twice a year (March & September).