About 45 persons from five counties have completed five days Training of Trainers Workshop on integration of WASH and nutrition activities in health clubs in schools.
According to a release, the Liberia WASH Consortium did organize the program as part of an Irish Aid funded five years project, tapping into the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) potentials of Liberia.
The consortium, which comprises six international NGOs including Action Against Hunger, Concern Worldwide, PSI, Tearfund ,Wateraid with Oxfam as lead agency, says it is committed to roll out the teaching manual to relevant government officials and staff within five counties namely; Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, Montserrado, Rivercess and Sinoe, respectively.
Liberia WASH Consortium Coordinator Gloria Kafuria disclosed that the consortium lacks immediate plans for remaining counties, but hoped they would be reached shortly by other international partners or government.
She made the disclosure over the weekend at the Rivercess County Health Center in Cestos City where she conducted a five-day training of trainers on wash in school manual and the establishment of Wash and Nutrition forum in Liberia.
Madam Kafuria said consortium members’ global and local experiences have presented clear evidence of a vital link between WASH activities and nutritional status of communities, the first of many planned events.
She disclosed that the Ministry of Education through its division of school health has developed a new and harmonized school Health Training Manual supported by UNICEF, WHH and Oxfam to provide insight and steps on how to broadly train school children on extra-curricular studies.
Coordinator Kafuria said the intensive training covers six modules she identified as introductory exercises, including Health Club Formation and Protocols, the comprehensive School Health Programs, the Nutrient and Healthy Lifestyle in school, the school’s water, sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), as well as Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights in schools.
Participants at the intensive workshop came from Ministries of Health, Education, Agriculture, Lands & Energy, Public Works, Internal Affairs, and the National WASH commission, including civil society organizations (CSOs), District Education Officers, WASH officers and Nutrition officers, and directors of school feeding programs, among others.
Earlier, Acting Superintendent Mr. Elijah Kayzaysee welcomed the participants and expressed joy that his county was benefiting from said development. Mr. Kayzaysee pledged his leadership support and called for more collaboration. Press Release
