Mennonite Central Committee

Children learn healthy hygiene in post-tsunami Aceh. (Photo by Victor J. Sensenig)

Children learn healthy hygiene in post-tsunami Aceh

Victor J. Sensenig
October 31, 2007

LAM REH, Indonesia – In this city just east of Banda Aceh, colorful posters and group activities help elementary school students establish healthy habits like brushing teeth, washing hands and maintaining a clean home and school environment.

Although families lived in difficult conditions before the tsunami, the close living conditions of people in barracks or relatives’ homes caused some health problems after the tsunami, said Sri Banun, a local principal.

In response, MCC, working with Aceh Health Program, a new health foundation, developed a program for health and hygiene education at three local elementary schools.

“I like to learn how to maintain my health and keep my teeth clean for fresh breath,” said Hafizah, a sixth-grade student in Lam Reh. She says that most of her friends have taken the lessons seriously. “After we play jumprope, we always wash our hands. After playing, there are germs on our hands.”

During the six-month program, each student receives two toothbrushes – a welcome gift in an area where some students’ families cannot afford shoes.

A further goal of the program was to enable students to promote healthy behaviors with their families and communities. Hafizah’s principal, Sri Banun, says that the program was very useful for the students, but the students are not as able to communicate their learnings with family as much as had been hoped. Aside from one or two cases, he said, he’s noted a lack of conversation between parents and children about schoolwork and activities.

Some students such as Hafizah, however, are passing on what they learned. Bright and talkative, she describes how she’s carried these lessons home for her brother: “I told him, ‘Brush your teeth after you eat and before you go to bed. And wash your hands after playing.’ And he does it.”