Millennium Villages observe Global Hand Washing Day in ZA

The Millennium Villages Project (MVP) says it will remain committed to reducing deaths of under-five children as one way of addressing the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

MVP team leader and science coordinator Dr Andrew Daudi said this in Zomba on Saturday during the commemoration of the Global Hand Washing Day at Katete Primary School in Traditional Authority Mlumbe.

The day falls on October 15 but the event was fast-tracked to pave the way for Mother’s Day celebrations yesterday.

Said Daudi: “Reducing deaths of under-five children is MDG number four and this day aims at increasing awareness among the children as well as their parents on the importance of washing hands before eating and after using the toilet all the time.

“We are emphasising that they should wash hands with soap which effectively removes germs associated with diarrhoea and cholera.”

Colgate-Palmolive professional coordinator Emily Jere said her company is on a Give Me Five Campaign in various schools in the country promoting the use of soap when washing hands.

“Everything you touch during the day carries germs and bacteria. Some of these are less dangerous, but you should do your best to make sure you are germs free by washing hands with soap always,” she said.