Hands need cleaning

As a Peace Corps Health Volunteer it's our job to go around and tell people how to live their lives healthier. 

So, obviously I'm gonna start with the people that are on par language wise with me, the children. And I'm going to teach them how and when to wash their hands. The classic "5 Ws" were a big part of this lesson. 

Example: "okay, when should we wash our hands? There are five important times to wash our hands, can you all help me with when?"-Me

Silence.

"Okay, I'll start. We should wash our hands after we go to the bathroom. Anyone know another time? Remember there five important times."- me holding out five fingers.

Now, there is some commotion. Yes! The kids get it! One kid steps up triumphantly and says, "we should wash our hands on  Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday!" Big smile and five fingers held high on his kid. 

Ha! Well, that's not wrong, technically. But what about Saturday and Sunday? So, moving onward.

"Who should wash their hands?"-Me expecting to hear "everyone should!"

Nope.

Silence and then some murmurs "dirty  kids should." 

Not wrong but not the answer I'm looking for. These kids sure know how to answer questions. 

"How should we wash our hands? Who knows how to wash their hands?"-Me

A quicker response this time because now they're thinking my questions are becoming dumber by the minute. 

"You get water in a bucket and you put your hands in it." -Random kid

Hmmm, I'm not sure that's working out so well. So I show them how to use soap and the whole scrubbing technique and the pouring of water over the hands. Which they love! They love the smell of soap and the scrubbing is funny for some reason and the reaction of pouring water over their hands was similar to that of a child going to a water park. Absolutely amazing!! I'm hoping they like it so much they do it all of the time, the five important times (which are, before eating,  before preparing meals, after playing, after going to the bathroom, and when they look dirty- incase you were wondering.)

And my concluding question to at one of my hand washing programs; "when are you going to wash your hands next?" 

The amount of participation has sky rocketed and this makes me happy but then I hear many kids yell "tomorrow!"

And I think, well... That's not wrong, technically. 

We've got some work to do. 

***friend in country does similar program. Her funny story; 

"Who washed their hands today?"-volunteer

No one raises their hand.

"Okay, who washed their hands yesterday?"-volunteer 

No one raised their hand. 

Ha!