Children Health and Sanitation Program

 GAN’s health and sanitation programme focuses on raising awareness of and improving practices in health, hygiene and sanitation amongst schools, children and communities. 
Instead of simply constructing facilities in schools which may prove unsustainable, GAN believes in the active participation of children, schools and the community and of increasing the capacity of civil society groups.  To this end the programme trains local young volunteers in health, hygiene and sanitation, highlighting knowledge, attitude and skills.  The programme then supports the volunteers in conducting their own localised awareness campaigns, which may use open theatre or puppet shows.  Child clubs are also used to help transfer health, hygiene and sanitation knowledge, attitudes and skills to other children.  Meetings are organised between school education stakeholders, social leaders and health organisations which not only helps to raise awareness further but also develops a coordinated understanding and approach.  The programme supports the formulation of an implementation plan which involves children, Children Education Concern Groups, women’s groups, Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs), School Management Committees (SMCs), health related agencies and other civil society groups.  The programme also conducts capacity building workshops on subjects such as proposal writing, fund raising, income generating activities, and aspects of good governance.  Finally, any construction of facilities that does take place is done with the active involvement of children, community members, PTAs and SMCs.  GAN believes that this active involvement together with all the other activities means that the facilities will be maintained, used properly and improved upon in the future.