By Johnson Nongu,
A non-governmJental organisation, the MaryMine Mother Care Initiative Network, has intensified efforts to promote hygiene education among children through a sensitisation programme held at Tivid Orphanage Home, North Bank, Makurdi.
The outreach, organised on Thursday under the theme “Clean Hands, Bright Future”, formed part of the organisation’s ongoing campaign aimed at encouraging healthy living and instilling good hygiene habits among children.
Speaking during the programme, the founder of the MaryMine Mother Care Initiative Network, Mrs MaryMine Hyembe, said the choice of the theme was informed by the need to help children understand the importance of hand hygiene in preventing diseases and maintaining good health.
She explained that clean hands contribute to a healthy body and can also serve as a symbol of purity and good character, noting that the initiative aligns with the organisation’s Dignity in Class campaign, which promotes hygiene and personal wellbeing among learners.
Mrs Hyembe stressed that God desires people to be clean both inside and outside, adding that children should learn to protect their bodies through healthy habits and responsible behaviour.
She encouraged the children to wash their hands after playing, after blowing their noses, before eating, after using the toilet and whenever their hands become dirty.
According to her, teaching children proper hygiene practices at an early age helps to build a foundation for a healthier future while also guiding them to embrace positive values and shun negative influences.
As part of the outreach, the organisation donated detergents, toothbrushes, sanitary pads and biscuits to the children to support their wellbeing and encourage personal hygiene.
Responding, the Executive Director of Tivid Orphanage Home, Ms Favour Ada, commended the organisation for the initiative, describing cleanliness as one of the core priorities of the orphanage.
She said the home has water facilities and handwashing stations to promote hygiene among the children, noting that maintaining cleanliness helps to reduce illnesses and frequent hospital visits.
Ms Ada explained that the orphanage places greater emphasis on disease prevention than treatment, making hygiene education an important part of its daily activities.
She appreciated the MaryMine Mother Care Initiative Network for sensitising the children on proper handwashing and other hygiene practices and called on individuals, organisations and members of the public to support the orphanage through similar humanitarian interventions.
