The learners of Hlelolusha Primary School received a visit from the Domestos Unstoppables recently, a team of passionate sanitation ambassadors from Unileverâs head office in Durban. The group of 15 stopped by the Pietermaritzburg-based primary school to commemorate World Toilet Day with the learners and teachers and share some important hygiene lessons.
Although Hlelolusha Primary School is one of 15 000 public schools that is taking part in the National Schools Hygiene and Sanitation Programme, in which Domestos teaches toilet hygiene to Grade 1 learners all over the country, this visit was an opportunity to connect with the school at large. The visit included a World Toilet Day assembly and classroom activities where the volunteers could engage with the learners and find out firsthand about the sanitation struggles, they face.
The Marketing Manager from Domestos, Unilever, Elizabeth Mokwena addressed the learners and teachers at Hlelolusha Primary School, âWe are here today at Hlelolusha Primary School to give children the opportunity to have clean toilets. We wish you all the best and so that one day we can see you on TV do amazing things!â
While Hlelolusha Primary School was one of the estimated 2 703* schools still using dangerous and unhygienic pit latrines (although they did have a structure housing the latrines), their facilities were in need of an upgrade, so Domestos and its partners in sanitation Envirosan, Top T and Plumblink, are currently in the process of refurbishing the toilets.
Representatives from these companies accompanied the Domestos Unstoppables on their school visit to acknowledge this occasion and celebrate with the learners.
âWeâve come today to celebrate the work that we have done in partnership with Unilever by donating tiles, you will now walk into the toilets comfortably knowing that the toilet has tiles,â shared Thulani Mngadi from Top T Tiles.
Stewart Smetherham from Envirosan said, âWe want to provide sustainable and dignified toilets for all, we hope you enjoy your new toilets.â
Out of the 4 major reasons children miss school, 3 are directly liked to sanitation â diarrhea, colds, flu, and respiratory issues. This means poor sanitation doesnât just impact a childâs health but can also impact the quality of their education.
Domestos first began championing safe and hygienic school sanitation 9 years ago and in 2019 is celebrating reaching two million children with behavior change education.
This World Toilet Day, Domestos pledged 100% of all profits from product sales towards projects working together with the government and the private sector to end the school sanitation crisis.
Principal J. J. Mthembu from Hlelolusha Primary School concluded the event by thanking the brand and partners for their generosity and support, âThanks to the Unilever Unstoppables for providing a fun-filled day teaching our learners about the importance of good hygiene habits and sanitation skills. We are also very excited about the new toilets that Domestos and partners are giving us, which will make a huge difference in the lives of our learners. Thanks again for restoring many lives with these new toilets!â
That means behind every bottle of Domestos in South African homes, is someone playing their part to solve the countryâs school sanitation crisis. This is why Domestos believes that we are #UnstoppableTogether.
