Pupils put their hands up for Handwashing Day

School children at The Winchester School, The Gardens, Dubai, were treated to a fun and interactive workshop organised by Lifebuoy, Unilever's skin-cleansing brand, to teach them about the importance of washing hands with soap. The session, organized to support the third annual Global Handwashing Day (GHWD), was attended by five and six year-old school children in years one and two who were taught a specially created song about handwashing, with mascots, interactive games and gifts to complete the experience. “Handwashing with soap can reduce the incidence of major diseases dramatically, which is why it is crucial to teach these habits to children from a young age,” said Kenneth Lingan, Marketing Director Home & Personal Care, Unilever Gulf. Meenakshi Dahiya, Acting Head of Primary, The Winchester School, said: “Hygiene and cleanliness are an integral part of our school curriculum. We support the Global Handwashing Initiative, and welcome such activities that educate children about the importance of washing hands with soap in an entertaining and engaging way.” Initiated in 2008 by the Global Public-Private Partnership for Handwashing with Soap, Global Handwashing Day is endorsed by a wide array of governments, international institutions, civil society organizations, NGOs, private companies and individuals around the globe. Global Handwashing Day 2010 will revolve around schools and children as the centrepiece of a week of activities that will mobilise millions of people in more than 80 countries across all five continents to wash their hands with soap.