Children in Kadjebi Embrace Hygiene Education Through Sesame WASH UP!
By Vivian Adu, Communications Officer
Pupils at Titiaka and Yazoo District Assembly (DA) schools in Kadjebi in the Oti Region of Ghana are taking the lead in promoting good hygiene practices, thanks to the rollout of the Sesame WASH UP! programme.
Developed by Sesame Workshop in partnership with World Vision Ghana, the programme uses familiar Muppet characters, such as Elmo and Raya, as well as story mats and comic books, to educate young learners about vital water, sanitation and hygiene behaviours.
The programme's interactive and child-friendly approach is transforming hygiene education into an engaging and memorable experience for schoolchildren. During the session, pupils demonstrated their knowledge of important practices, such as the correct way to wash their hands and how to handle water safely.
The lessons do not stop at the classroom door: children are encouraged to act as 'hygiene ambassadors', spreading WASH messages in their homes and communities.
“This is more than just learning about hygiene. The children are excited and are already influencing their families and neighbours with what they have learnt,” said Bright, a teacher at Titiaka DA school.
A unique feature of WASH UP! is its use of local languages, including Twi, Gonja, and Dagbani, alongside English. This bilingual approach ensures that children from diverse linguistic backgrounds can fully grasp and communicate the lessons effectively.
By empowering children as agents of change, Sesame WASH UP! is helping to instil lifelong hygiene habits and build healthier communities across Ghana. The programme's implementation in Kadjabi forms part of a wider initiative to promote hygiene education in schools across the Oti Region and beyond.
