The Timeline
August 2022
Clean the World Foundation renovated sinks and is working to expand to three additional schools and two additional high schools
September 2021
Clean the World Foundation distributed soap to schools and health centers
August 2020
Clean the World Foundation build WASH stations in four schools
March 21, 2019
Director of Programs, Steffani Fields, introduced pilot program to Dominican Ministries of Education, Health and local medical and hotel associations
June 1, 2019
Sasha Miranda, hired as
Clean the World Foundation
WASH Program Manager
for the Caribbean
July 2019
Clean the World ROC/Soap Recycling Facility and Foundation office renovations
June 25 - 26, 2019
WASH Program Manager, Sasha and Director of Programs, Steffani, conducted teacher trainings
August 2019
Eduardo Liendo, hired as Clean the World Foundation WASH Program Coordinator for the Caribbean
September 2019
WASH Education Program and volleyball lessons launched in four schools
The Program
Clean the World Foundation has formed a partnership with the local government and business leaders of the Bavaro-Higuey Intersectional Table to implement a nine-month WASH education pilot project in four primary schools within the Punta Cana- Bavaro area of the Dominican Republic. The program addresses the need for greater education regarding proper hand-washing practices and improved personal hygiene. The project will run in four primary schools throughout the 2019-2020 school year and extend to 4 new schools each school year for a total of five years.
The project consists of integrating key WASH education lessons and practices into the already existing learning environment. The first phase of the project includes educating the selected teachers using the same WASH curriculum intended for the students, with the second phase consisting of the teachers instructing their students on the curriculum on a weekly basis with the inclusion of volleyball lessons in an effort to link hygiene to sport, making it more fun to learn.
The Schools
The target of the WASH program is four primary schools, from different economically challenged areas of the Punta Cana – Bavaro area and with a combined target population of 2,000 students, 4 directors, and 36 teachers. The target schools are:
Centro Educativo El Cortecito
Centro Educativo Nazareth
Centro Educativo Primario Cabeza de Toro
Centro Educativo Primario Los Manantiales
The Lessons
The Clean the World WASH-in-Schools curriculum workbook provided to each WASH teacher contains six key lessons. For the purposes of the teacher training we focused on the first five lessons; deciding to work on the sixth theme on an individual school level. The lesson topics are as follows:
The Transmission Route of Germs and Microbes
The Importance and Proper Methods of Hand Washing
The Dangers of Contaminated Water and How to Protect Our Water Sources
How to Practice Good Hygiene
How to Practice Good Sanitation
Feminine Hygiene, WASH and the Menstrual Cycle
Before WASH education lessons began in each school, a baseline survey was conducted to analyze and record the water, sanitation and hygiene conditions of each. This survey will become the base-point for evaluation surveys, conducted on a regular schedule to gage the effectiveness of the program as it relates to student absenteeism, WASH knowledge, behavioral and WASH facility changes. Each evaluation will be accompanied by impact statements and photos/videos.
The ultimate goal of the program is to improve the lives of students and their families by teaching the close connection between good health and good sanitation habits. The process of planning the training event and the subsequent project have already mobilized different sectors of the community to come together to join the discussion on how to improve sanitation and health. This is a big step in the right direction!
The Sponsors
Mesa Intersectorial
Dominican Ministry of Education
Dominican Ministry of Health
Punta Cana Hotel Association
Punta Cana Medical/Doctor Association (Entorno Saludable)
© 2019 Clean the World Foundation. A 501 (c)(3). EIN: 26-4212487. Made with in ORLANDO, FL.