UNICEF begins Tippy Tap Technology campaign

United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has begun piloting the construction of the Tippy Tap Technology as an affordable, sustainable and appropriate hand washing with soap technology in all basic schools in the Mion District.

The move is to support the government to address the poor hygiene practices in schools and in fulfilment of the rights to water and sanitation by the United Nations Resolution A/RES/64/292.

It is also in response to Sustainable Development Goals six (6), which requires ensuring water and sanitation for all.

The Tippy Tap Technology, an outdoor hand-washing facility, is a simple hands-free device that allows for hand washing particularly in rural areas with no running water.

It is operated by a foot lever and therefore helps drastically to reduce the chances of bacteria transmission since the user touches only the soap, as well as very economical as it uses only 40 milliliters of water instead of about 500 milliliters if one has to use a mug.

Mr Dan Makandan, District Chief Executive of Mion, who launched the campaign at Sang on Wednesday to promote the technology at the District, spoke about the importance of hand washing with soap saying, “It can reduce the incidence of diarrhoea among children under five as well as reduce acute respiratory infections.”

The launch of the Tippy Tap Technology campaign in the District was to herald the commemoration of the Global Hand Washing Day on October 15, purposely to awaken and sensitize all especially children on the dire need for proper hand washing with soap.

Mion District has been selected for the pilot of the technology given that it is the most progressive in the Region in terms of sanitation improvement achievements including having strong political, administrative and technical leadership to support the initiative.

Mr Makandan appealed to all in the District especially landlords to endeavour to replicate the technology in their homes and encourage children to use it effectively to drastically reduce all water and sanitation related diseases.

Madam Yakubu Barikisu, Mion District Director of Education, whose speech was read on her behalf, said hand washing with soap could prevent many communicable diseases advising all to continue the habit of frequent hand washing with soap despite the containment of the outbreak of cholera in the District.

Meanwhile, selected school pupils from Sang staged a drama on hand washing with soap and its benefits as means to sensitizing the public to always wash their hands with soap.