A Determined Champion to Win Over Germs Through Hand Washing

“They used the UV Torch and powder. I was shocked to see the germs on my hands. Earlier I used to wash mu hands mainly with water. But now, I have started washing regularly with soap also”, says a confident Piya

Fifteen-year-old Piya Mondal is very attached to her plants. “I get them from Swarupnagar. I even cried when the goat ate my rose plant,” she shares. A resident of Bhabanipur 1 Gram Panchayet in Hasnabad, she has always been interested in the environment and in keeping the surroundings clean. She is also known to take initiative. Her father, a daily wage earner and earthern idol maker, declares, “She makes others also listen to her.” Understandably, Piya has been one of the most active participants in the handwashing sessions held in her school (Sulkuni Paschim para Birsa Munda Madhyamik Shiksha Kendra).

Piya’s school is about 2.5 to 3 km away from her home. It is a brisk 30 minute walk. She is in class IX. Her favourite subject is Bengali while English is more difficult to grasp.

Once, she talked two of her friends into helping her pick up biscuit wrappers and other trash items within the school premises. She had also volunteered earlier to monitor hand washing of students before they took the mid day meal at the school. “We take the water from the tube well for washing hands. I have to help them (children) stand in a line and give them soap. I check that they are washing their hands properly. I also have to tell Sir (Environment Science teacher) when the soap is about to finish and we need a new one,” she says. Initially, all the children did not listen to her. She recounts, “I had to complain to Sir. Then he also spoke to them.”

The hand washing sessions held in the school remain memorable for her. “All of us were (brought) together in one class. They (Save the Children team) had asked for two children to come forward. So, one boy and I went. They used that UV torch and powder. I felt very bad when I saw the germs on my hand,” she says. “Earlier, I used to wash my hands mainly with water. From that day, I started washing regularly with soap also,” she affirms. She has also demonstrated the ten steps in hand washing before others. “This was after two sessions. Sirs asked me to show the others. So, in the hall room I showed how to do hand washing with soap. I enjoyed that,” she shares. She could then speak about hand washing with greater conviction.

Piya believes that it is important to stress the connection between dirty hands (with germs) and ill health. “I tell others – if you don’t wash your hands properly, you will have an upset stomach and you may have to go to a doctor.” “I don’t fall ill as much as I used to. This can be because of my hand washing,” she says.

The self monitoring checklist has served as a helpful reminder. It indicates the requisite times for hand washing and tracks compliance over 21 days. (The requisite times are after using the toilet, before eating, after sneezing and coughing, after returning from market or other crowded places and after touching/dealing with animals.) Piya shares that it took about three months to get three other family members (parents and sister) to practice as indicated.

Fortunately, her sister has been equally vocal about this. Her eldest sister, married and living in Kolkata, has also been on her side. However, her ten year old younger brother is yet to comply fully. “My brother still does not wash his hands before eating some times,” she says with exasperation. And that remains a continuing battle between the two!

Piya talks about the challenges in promoting hand washing. “The younger children (in school) got very excited and they began to follow all the steps. Sometimes, it is more difficult to convince your own friends,” she shares with a wry smile. The lack of adequate water supply in the village also hampers frequent hand washing with soap. “Some also feel that covid is not there so much now. So, we don’t have to be so careful including with hand washing,” she adds. She agrees that such perceptions need to be countered.

Piya is sure that she will continue to talk about hand washing wherever it is needed.

And the support of her parents is evident. Her father shares, “Some people do comment. But I tell them – what she is saying, it is for your own good.” Piya’s mother smiles and nods her head in unambiguous approval.