The document describes Speak Africa's Clean Learning Competition in Ethiopia that aims to improve hygiene and sanitation in schools. The competition encourages schools to create a clean environment and proper hygiene practices. Winning schools will be judged on cleanliness and student participation in hand washing and waste disposal. Speak Africa will provide media materials for students to document hygiene issues and high quality entries will be publicized internationally to bring awareness to water, sanitation, and hygiene issues in schools. The competition aims to incentivize behavior change and create lasting hygiene clubs in schools that will continue educating students.
2. The water we use is not even safe and clean. My school has no water supply or latrines facilities. Students go to the nearby bushes to ease themselves. In our region there is a problem of water and toiletsβ Ojulu Okelli a 15-year-old boy from Gambella Town, Ethiopia. My fellow students and I including the whole community drink water from the river which is polluted.We dont only drink it but we also use it for washing clothes and cooking food.
3. Background Massive Expansion of Schools in recent years Quantity and quality of Hygiene and Sanitation facilities have lagged behind Less than 35.5 per cent of school latrines are considered clean and hand-washing facilities only existed at 4.4 percent of all schools, according to one report
4. UNICEF / WASH Movement Action The year 2008 has been declared the International Year of Sanitation Aims Include: Raising awareness of the importance of sanitation Encouraging Governments and their partners to promote and implement policies and actions Mobilizing communities, particularly womens groups, towards changing sanitation and hygiene practices through sanitation-health-education campaigns
5. UNICEF / WASH Movement Action Also, Ethiopias unique Millennium Hygiene and Sanitation movements aims include: Development of a branded communication and social marketing programme Mass mobilisation, continuous media engagement and targeted advocacy at all levels
6. Speak Africas Clean Learning Competition 2008 Within a given time period, schools will compete to create a clean, beautiful and hygienic environment Winning schools will be judged on: Cleanliness of facilities Cleanliness of school grounds Cleanliness of classrooms Awareness and participation of pupils in hand-washing at critical times and proper excreta disposal Efforts at sensitising communities Fun and creativity demonstrated
7. Speak Africas Clean Learning Competition 2008 Why: Encourages students to participate in an interactive and fun way Incentives to participate Model (cluster) schools will encourage satellite schools to seek better hygiene practices A competition has a good chance of attracting media interest Competition has links with ongoing school improvement programmes The initiative will have a lasting legacy through the creation of school WASH clubs that will continue to provide a service to future generations.
8. Media Outreach - Speak Africas role in the competition: To give a voice to young people, the Speak Africa initiative will run alongside activities Schools given a WASH kit will also receive a Speak Africa media pack providing students with the means to personally document Hygiene and Sanitation issues using a variety of media formats The Speak Africa website, youth magazines (i.e. Lambadina), radio shows and affiliated websites will display finished material. High Quality Entries will be syndicated to international networks
9. Media Outreach - Speak Africas role in the competition: Why Vehicle of publicity for WASH movement Students interact with the issue of H&S a fun and entertaining way Produces media material from young people themselves i.e. provides empowerment Enhances local and international awareness of H&S in Ethiopia
10. Behaviour Change Impacts Incentive-led approach to behaviour change in schools. At Cluster school level: A prize coupled with a Speak Africa media initiative will encourage awareness building Will create and revitalize School WASH clubs. A functioning WASH club has the potential to continue to sensitise students for several years Cascading Effect: Reaching out into the community is integrated into the competitions judging parameters. National and International: Furthermore, Speak Africas publicity aims to bring national and international awareness of school H&S.