Paving the way for good hand hygiene in rural Nepal

A colourful pathway featuring footprints leads from the toilets to the handwashing station in a school yard in Dailekh, Nepal. The pathway is part of a behaviour change initiative for improved hand hygiene and encourages students to follow the footprints to wash their hands after using the toilet (Meeting Point)

In rural Dailekh, Nepal, small but meaningful steps are guiding students’ good hand hygiene practices and creating a ripple effect across the community.

One fine morning, as the sun painted the sky with hues of gold, in the heart of Dungeshwor Rural Municipality (RM) primary school students gathered for their usual daily lessons. To their amazement, a vividly colourful pathway adorned with playful footprints had appeared in the school yard, leading from the toilets to the handwashing station. The simple design was a marvel of creativity, catching the attention and harnessing the curiosity of the young minds. 

Its aim was simple yet profound — to cultivate the habit of handwashing with soap and water after using the toilet, encouraging better hygiene practices among the students.

 

“Prior to the construction of the path, we had to frequently remind the students to wash their hands after using the toilet. But now, they instinctively head straight to the handwashing station after using the toilets, walking over the colorful footprints. They even enjoy washing their hands!"

Ms. Manju Raut, teacher

The pathway was brought to life through a collaboration between SNV Nepal and local partner the Everest Club, with support from Australia through Water for Women. And as the days have passed, the results continue to exceed expectations.

The colourful footprints serve as a friendly reminder for students to follow the path to wash their hands after using the toilet during school. It has turned handwashing into a delightful ritual rather than a mundane task and clean hands have become a matter of pride for the students. But its impact extends beyond the school yard.

During a recent field visit, community members joyfully shared how the pathway has also reached their homes. The students have become ambassadors of good hand hygiene who are now influencing their families to adopt healthier habits. They described the children as "guiding stars" who gently nudge them to follow in their footsteps and wash their hands before meals and when returning from outside.

The colourful pathway, although just a small change within a school yard, has led to a significant transformation throughout the community as healthier households continue to blossom from this simple project.

Water for Women is partnering with SNV Netherlands Development Organisation to support adaptation and strengthen climate resilience within current area-wide rural water supply services in four RMs in the districts of Dailekh and Sarlahi, Nepal, where only around 17% of households are currently able to practice handwashing with soap. Approximately 40% of the rural water schemes in these RMs also operate at a sub-standard level. Increased economic pressure to keep water points functional can have flow on effects on households’ ability to invest in other important water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) products, such as soap and water filters. 

The Towards Climate-Resilient Inclusive WASH Services in Rural Nepal project is helping to accelerate progress in rural WASH access and contributing to improved health, gender equality and well-being in the rural communities of Dailekh and Sarlahi, with the aim of directly benefitting 41,200* people by the end of 2024.

 

A student walks towards the toilet block in her school yard in rural Dailekh, Nepal. The colourful pathway features footprints that lead from the toilets to the handwashing station to remind students to wash their hands with soap after going to the toilet (Meeting Point)

 

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