Kaberamaido handwashing campaign targets children

Share An Opportunity (SAO) Uganda has supported homes that have children with soap to beef up hand washing practices to fight the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Kaberamaido district.

Nelson Turyansingura from SAO Uganda said they were going to target two sub-counties of Aperkira and Kaberamaido in Kaberamaido district.

He said there was a challenge of many families neglecting the use of soap for washing children's hands yet their lives also matter a lot.

One of the beneficiaries, Julius Agelu, the LC1 of Okapel central village in Aperkira sub-county said the observation of SAO was right.

Agelu said he was going to ensure that families engage children in washing hands to avoid contracting or spreading COVID-19.

"Since SAO-Uganda is interested in safeguarding children, the benefit reaches to all other family members as well. We shall all benefit from the program meant for the children," Agelu said.

He also said there were so many cases stolen soap meant for handwashing being reported to him.

At least 244 boxes of soap worth sh19m have been secured for the two sub-counties and every home with children will be a beneficiary.

Turyansingura said every home will receive two bars of soap only meant for handwashing.

Whereas families may get tempted to use the soap for other laundry activities, their intention was to have the soap as a way of avoiding the spread of coronavirus.

"Children have become victims of coronavirus but we need people who can be there for them. Community volunteers should see the safety of children," the executive director of SAO, Caroline Masaba said.

Masaba said it would be good if children themselves are made to be in charge of the usage of the soap and said all village committees in charge of children's affairs were to check on the proper usage of the soap.

One of the sub-county officials of Aperkira sub-county, James Epalu Enyuru said the initiative taken by SAO to target children was good because the youth are the leaders of tomorrow.

The Kaberamaido resident district commissioner, George Edward Onya, said non-governmental organisations that are taking on the fight against COVID-19 were doing great to save lives.

He said organisations should do everything to reduce the spread of the coronavirus in all parts of the country including rural places.