Maintaining proper hand hygiene is essential for the overall health and well-being of children, including those with special needs. In support of this, Save the Children implemented the Better Investment for Stunting Alleviation Project in West Java Province, Indonesia, which aims to prevent and reduce stunting rates through various initiatives, including health-related education and support.
Reki, Agis, and Susi are students with mild mental disabilities from an inclusive school in Sumedang. As part of the project, two teachers from their school took part in our training programme where they learned how to teach children handwashing techniques using soap. To enhance the learning process, we used educational videos as a means of communication, providing the children with joyful tutorials on handwashing with soap that could maintain hygiene and protect their health from infectious diseases.
16-year-old Agis said, “I was very happy. Felt bliss. Even with my friends, we also gather to wash our hands, and then we continue to wash our hands together.”
In our programme, the children are able to practise the steps using the facilities at school to wash their hands with soap and getting used to it at appropriate times. The programme also trained midwives and care group cadres in four villages to support pregnant and lactating mothers and caregivers. As a result, snacks are no longer sold at Posyandu because the community understands that unhealthy snacks hinder children’s growth. Instead, they bring healthy snacks like cakes, bananas, or sweet potatoes from home.