This week The Education Times visited Facek and CSK Kanombe and discussed with the learners the importance of washing hands after using the toilet. We bring you their thoughts. 

Crispin Shema

There are diseases that result from poor hygiene and if you don’t clean yourself very well, you may end up getting them. I have seen people ignoring washing hands after visiting the toilet and I fear  that one day they might not be so lucky to avoid falling sick.

Loic Noah Ndamukunda

We wash hands for hygiene purposes. It is dangerous to eat or shake hands without washing hands because you could just be spreading diseases. But many people always forget to do it.

Bertrand Gatete

I always wash my hands with soap and water after using the toilet. I was warned that failure to wash my hands would easily result into deadly diseases like Ebola and dysentery. I also remind my friends to always do as advised by our teachers and parents to avoid problems.

Daniella Izere

I usually forget to wash my hands when alone. But whenever I am with other people, I always remember to wash them because I know its advantages. I know the danger of not doing so and just wish that I could stop forgetting.

Paterne Ndengeye Irakoze

We wash our hands after using the toilet because diseases like dysentery can easily find their way into our bodies. I had a friend who used to ignore washing his hands until one day when he got typhoid. It is very important for us to maintain our bodies in a hygienic manner.

Chris Yannick Hirwa

I was told that diseases like dysentery, cholera and diarrhea originate from the toilet. Washing hands is a way to disinfect ourselves from germs. Sometimes, however, I forget to wash my hands especially when I am very hungry.

Kelly Manzi

I wash my hands whenever I visit the toilet and after eating. However, there are older people who go straight to the dining table after using the toilet. It is such a shame because in this age of technology and information everyone should be aware of the risk of not washing hands.

Risk of poor personal hygiene

Lack of personal hygiene can cause problems such as bad breath and unpleasant body odour. These afflictions make it harder to socialize, be confident with strangers and can even affect your prospects at work. Developing a basic personal hygiene routine requires only a little organization and helps in gaining confidence.

As you touch people, surfaces and objects throughout the day, you accumulate germs on your hands and in turn, you can infect yourself with these germs by touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Although it’s impossible to keep your hands germ-free, washing your hands frequently can help limit the transfer of bacteria, viruses and other microbes.

Dr Benjamin Ndayambaje, who works with Partners in Health Rwinkwavu, says: ‘’Hand washing can prevent transmission of many infections like cold, cough, diarrhoea, typhoid, aggravation of chronic bronchitis, eczema, fungal infection.’’

According to Ndayambaje, good personal hygiene goes further to clean nails, by regularly clipping the nails and removing dirt from under the nail. Germs can hide under long nails and if skin is scratched with long dirty nails it may cause an infection.

The United Nations mentions that 2.5 billion people live without access to improved sanitation. Lack of adequate toilet facilities undermines the health and dignity of both women and men. However, unimproved sanitation has even more adverse impacts on the life of girls and women.

Similar suggestions to maintain proper hygiene are made by dermatologists for individuals to wash their hair at least every other day to get rid of excess dirt and oil build-up that causes acne on the face.

You should regularly wash your clothes to keep them clean and smelling fresh. Brushing your teeth is also essential in personal hygiene.

Keeping a toothbrush for too long makes it difficult to clean your teeth well, and it may contribute to bad breath or other oral health problems. So, let’s all stay healthy, and clean!!

If you have a comment or want the Education Times Open Voice team to visit your school, please send an email to education@newtimes.co.rw