NGO takes Ebola education to schools

Ms Rita Lodonu, Volta Regional Coordinator, Hope for Future Generations (HFFG), a non-governmental organization on health, has impressed on students in senior high schools to adopt ‘proper’ hand-washing as a necessity.

She said proper hand-washing with soap in boarding schools was imperative, in the light of the life-threatening cholera and Ebola Viral Diseases (EVD).

Ms Lodonu explained that proper hand-washing reduced the risk of cholera and bacteria growth.

She was addressing students of Mawuli Senior High School, Ho, on Cholera and EVD, and the benefits of proper hand washing.

The interaction was organized by HFFG, with funding from UNICEF.

She said unfortunately some senior high schools did not have “proper” refuse dumps and toilet facilities, and challenged students and staff of those schools to maintain good sanitation.

Ms Lodonu said it was unsightly for students and teachers to urinate anywhere without washing their hands, as that could lead to the spread of germs.

Students and teachers were also cautioned against handling game because of the risk posed by Ebola.

HFFG held similar engagements in 92 other senior high schools in the Volta Region, on cholera and EVD.

The organization gave “veronica” buckets, cartons of carbolic soap, and hand-washing bowls to the schools.

It also established a telephone platform where contacts of students were collated for messages on cholera and Ebola.