Handwashing is a simple yet powerful way to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and promote healthier communities. Recognizing this potential, Diversey and Maastricht University have recently signed a cooperation agreement to strengthen their collaboration in the Hand Washing Angels Program (HWA Program), an initiative designed to instill positive handwashing habits in children across the globe.
The HWA Program, a joint effort between Maastricht University, Benthurst & Co, and Diversey, combines a specially designed soap with an engaging educational program to make handwashing an easy and enjoyable habit for children. The partnership's mission is to fight for children's health and education by reducing school absenteeism due to illness in selected countries within Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia Pacific.
The program's success has already been demonstrated through a pilot conducted in late 2019 at the Royal Gate School, in Bondo, Kenya, where the innovative soap and educational program were well-received involving over 4.000 handwashing moments. With this proof of concept established, the HWA Program has evolved over the last 3 years and will now continue to expand into countries such as Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and India adapting to local communities and school contexts to deliver the most effective program possible.
The cooperation agreement outlines several key objectives, including scaling up children's handwashing behavior, collaborating on a fun and rewarding handwashing protocol, and reducing school absenteeism by lowering the frequency of infectious diseases in the communities where the Hand Washing Angels Program operates.
To fulfill these objectives, Maastricht University and Diversey will work closely together to implement the HWA Program in selected countries, leveraging existing Soap For Hope? infrastructure where possible. The partners will also identify suitable beneficiaries, track hand hygiene behavior, and measure school absenteeism rates.
By empowering children with the knowledge and tools to keep their hands clean, the HWA Program is not only improving their health but also contributing to a more sustainable and equitable future. At Diversey We GO beyond CLEAN to Protect Health and Well Being, thus we are proud to partner with Maastricht University to make a positive impact on the communities we serve. Together, we can create a global handwashing movement that inspires generations to come.
