CSR News: ‘Illness to Wellness’ Handwashing Awareness Initiative for school children

New Delhi, India: In a strong effort to promote good health practices and hygiene habits among students, the ASSOCHAM Foundation for Corporate Social Responsibility (AFCSR), the social arm of ASSOCHAM, along with the Air Force Golden Jubilee Institute, Subroto Park, New Delhi organized an “Illness to Wellness” handwashing awareness demonstration activity.

Supported by the hygiene brand Savlon, the initiative focused on educating students about the importance of proper handwashing and its preventive power to keep illnesses at bay and maintain overall good health and well-being.

Around 650 primary students from grade III to grade V and 80 specially-abled children participated in the event. The students were actively engaged through a series of activities – interactive demonstrations led by health experts, informative sessions on hygiene, and activities to help students understand the significance of clean hands in reducing the spread of germs and infections.

Teachers and staff also participated with a lot of enthusiasm in guiding the students on the correct handwashing techniques using soap and water. The participating students, in turn, took a pledge to adhere to best practices for handwashing and maintain hygiene to ward off infections and diseases. They also took part in an exciting quiz, further reinforcing their understanding of the importance of hand hygiene.

Speaking about the initiative, Mr. Anil Rajput, Chairperson, ASSOCHAM National Council on CSR said, “School children can be a force multiplier as they will not only change their own habits but will effectively bring about a change in the entire ecosystem that they inhabit. I am pleased to see that under the ‘Illness to Wellness’ campaign, more and more schools, with the Air Force School, Subroto Park being the latest addition, carrying out impactful activities to raise awareness among children about handwashing. By empowering students with this essential knowledge from a young age, the initiative is fostering lifelong positive habits and laying the groundwork for a healthier and stronger nation in the future.”

The impact of this initiative extends far beyond the school walls, as students are encouraged to share their new found knowledge with their families and communities. Regular handwashing helps reduce absenteeism due to illnesses such as colds, flu, and stomach infections, ultimately improving academic performance and student participation. Such interactive events also teach children about the importance of hand hygiene at an early age, establishing a foundation for

responsible self-care practices in adulthood. As handwashing becomes second nature, the likelihood of later health complications in life gets significantly reduced.

Talking about the event, Ms. Alka Singh, Principal, Air Force Golden Jubilee Institute, Subroto Park, New Delhi, said, “Since time immemorial, we have been told by our elders to wash our hands and eat. This has become more important today, as we are living in a world full of pollutants. It is important to wash our hands and keep them clean, as we do many activities through our hands. Handwashing has to be inculcated in childhood, as it will become a habit, which will benefit us greatly. Washing hands will keep us safe from infection and diseases. Wash hands and keep diseases at bay.”

The school’s handwashing activity aligns with global health campaigns and reinforces the importance of proper hygiene in daily life.

With continued efforts, ASSOCHAM Foundation for CSR hopes to create a lasting culture of cleanliness and responsibility among students, stressing the importance of handwashing to become a daily and regular habit for all.

The ‘Illness to Wellness’ campaign was launched in 2014 and remains committed to promoting health and well-being through empowering, educating, collaborating, and adopting of sustainable health practices. Over the years, it has aimed to maximize outreach and impact, from organizing camps and awareness campaigns to holding regular webinars on key health topics and developments – with the clear purpose of raising awareness and providing motivation and remedies.

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