Global Handwashing Day: "Our Hands, Our Future!"

It's Humanity Foundation (IHF) staff lead hand hygiene activities with children in Dhaka, Bangladesh. (IHF/CPI)

​On Global Handwashing Day (October 15), a mobile school bus supported by Community Partners International (CPI) visited children living in slum communities in Dhaka, Bangladesh, to educate them about hand hygiene and distribute hygiene kits.

The "Chakar" mobile school bus operated by CPI partner It's Humanity Foundation is a familiar site to children in slum communities in Dhaka. Five days a week, the bus travels to two communities to offer basic education, a healthy meal, health awareness and extracurricular activities to 120+ children between the ages of five and 12.

The Chakar mobile school bus operated by It's Humanity Foundation in Dhaka, Bangladesh, with support from Community Partners International. (IHF/CPI)

​In Bangladesh, 4.7 million children work rather than attending school. Child Literacy for girls is 19.6%, and for boys marginally higher at 22.9%. In Dhaka, 18.6% of 5-7 year olds (approximately 750,000 children) are working instead of receiving an education. Without access to education to help them fulfil their potential, these children face a lifetime of low-paid, unskilled work.

With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting communities across the world, the Chakar mobile school bus set out on Global Handwashing Day to help children improve their handwashing habits. The bus travelled to Diabari neighborhood in Dhaka and the staff organized fun and physically-distanced educational activities with the theme "Our Hands, Our Future!" focused on hand hygiene for children and their parents. The children each received hygiene kits so that they can keep practicing good hygiene habits at home.

With CPI's support, the Chakar mobile school bus will continue to provide access to essential education, health and nutrition to help children in slum communities in Dhaka to reach their potential.

Children in Dhaka, Bangladesh, practice handwashing with guidance from It's Humanity Foundation staff. (IHF/CPI)

A child sanitizes her hands during a Global Handwashing Day event in Dhaka, Bangladesh, organized by It's Humanity Foundation with support from Community Partners International. (IHF/CPI)

A child practices handwashing during a Global Handwashing Day event in Dhaka, Bangladesh, organized by It's Humanity Foundation with support from Community Partners International. (IHF/CPI)

A child receives a hygiene kit during a Global Handwashing Day event in Dhaka, Bangladesh, organized by It's Humanity Foundation with support from Community Partners International. (IHF/CPI)

A hygiene kit distributed during a Global Handwashing Day event in Dhaka, Bangladesh, organized by It's Humanity Foundation with support from Community Partners International. (IHF/CPI)