Hygiene and sanitation-related illnesses remain the number one cause of absenteeism in South African schools, yet they are largely avoidable. Expensive trips to the doctor or missed school days can be avoided simply by learning a few daily habits.
Unilever has been striving to make daily hygiene habits accessible to all South Africans. As a result, it’s adapted the National Schools Hygiene and Sanitation Programme into a free online educational website, Hygienica Castle, that makes learning fun for kids and rewards parents. The Unilever National Schools Hygiene and Sanitation Programme is currently being taught to Grade 1 learners in 15 000 schools, in partnership with the Department of Basic Education as part of the Life Skills curriculum.
Hygienica Castle is a gamified e-learning platform that teaches correct handwashing habits, proper oral hygiene and toilet hygiene habits as per the Hygiene and Sanitation Programme lesson plans, encouraging daily practice through rewards.
The game, which is aimed at kids 5 years and up; allows them to become Hygiene Superheroes with their own supercool Avatars as they learn and earn points that can be redeemed for exciting rewards! Parents benefit too – their kids get to learn valuable hygiene habits at no cost, and they earn coupon rewards that can be redeemed instore.
“We understand the role that hygiene plays in keeping children healthy and in school so that they can get the best possible start in life. For parents, sick children can mean expensive trips to doctors. No parent wants to see his or her child sick, especially from a preventable illness like diarrhea. We wanted to take the successful hygiene education programme that is in primary schools nationally and extend it to the home environment through a digital game that can be enjoyed by the whole family. The Hygienica Castle is a fun, interactive gamified e-learning website for kids. We have not left out the parents though – the game rewards both parents and children for their participation and full completion. We have no doubt that Hygienica Castle will be enjoyed by everyone at home!” said Unilever Social Mission Manager, Queen Mgobhozi
Parents who sign up for the platform can also stand a chance to win valuable prizes! Sign up to #HygienicaCastle today and let your kids try the exciting games that teach good hygiene habits to stand a chance to win 1 of 5 cash prizes valued at R5000 each for your child’s education! Simply sign-up on the www.unileverschoolsprogramme.co.za website, and follow the instructions below:
Facebook Entries:
All you need to do is post a comment with a screenshot of your child’s progress! #HygieneGames #FunWithHygiene
Ts and Cs apply: https://www.unileverschoolsprogramme.co.za/hygienca
