Water Sanitation & Hygiene Program
Gatsibo District
CFO implemented WASH programs supporting Community Hygiene Clubs and School Health Clubs, focusing on hygiene best practices and menstrual health management across Gatsibo District.
140
Community Hygiene Clubs Trained
91
Clubs Graduated in 2023
17
Schools Supported
51
Teachers Trained on SRHR
23
School Health Clubs
23
Girl's Clubs Established
The Story
In 2009, the Government of Rwanda launched the Community-based Environmental Health Promotion Program (CBEHPP), aiming to reduce the national disease burden through community-based hygiene behavior change and improved sanitation.
From 2019-2022, CFO collaborated with MLFM (Movimento per la Lotta contro la Fame nel Mondo) to implement the Gatsibo Project. While MLFM led the construction of the Gasange-Bugarura-Muhura Aqueduct, CFO was responsible for the social component: awareness, training with local communities, schools, and health centers.
CFO trained Health Center staff as TOTs (Trainers of Trainers) to train Community Health Workers on WASH key messages and supported the implementation of hygiene education through 140 Community Hygiene Clubs.
Key Behavior Change Achievements
Based on KPC Surveys conducted in 2020 and 2022 in Gatsibo District
Before
52.2%
After
98.9%
Households with improved drinking water source
National average: 77% rural
Before
73.0%
After
88.9%
Households treating drinking water effectively
National average: 32% rural
Before
31.9%
After
69.3%
Households using hygienic toilet facilities
National average: 69% rural
Before
10.3%
After
54.4%
Households with hand-washing stations
National average: 10% rural
Before
71.5%
After
98.1%
Households washing hands at critical times
91 Clubs Graduated
On April 27, 2023, 91 Community Hygiene Clubs graduated after completing their year-long training program. Each club attended twenty classes weekly for an entire year.
The graduation ceremony was attended by the CFO Country Representative, District Health Officer, and District In-charge of Hygiene, who handed certificates to the Health Club representatives.
“Today, please join us in thanking the 91 community hygiene clubs for the outstanding work they have done for their neighbors in these three sectors. They attended twenty classes each week for a year. Today we are going to give to each group representative a certificate of appreciation.”
— CFO Country Representative, at the CHCs graduation ceremony
CFO Country Representative, District Health Officer and District In-charge of Hygiene handing certificate to Health Club representative
District Health Officer delivering speech during the graduation event
Integrated Sanitation Project
A three-year WASH program funded by C.E.I. Italian Bishops' Conference
17 Schools Supported
Primary and secondary schools with girl's rooms and hygiene items
51 Teachers Trained
On Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR)
23 School Health Clubs
Implementing hygiene education through peer learning
Training Modules Developed and Distributed for Schools
CFO developed and distributed training modules for schools
Success Stories
CHW Consolee introducing hygiene lesson
“I see the changes in the community. People value the lessons we share with them. Many of them have changed, they are clean, their clothes are also clean. Personally, I do not regret my efforts to support my community. I will continue to combine my efforts with other community health agents to improve the life of our community.”
Nyirakimonyo Consolee
Community Health Worker, Taba Village
Habiyaremye teaching his daughter how to wash hands using tippy tap
“Before receiving the CHW in our family, we did not understand the importance of keeping good hygiene at home. Now as we have been trained on different lessons shared by the CHWs, we improve our hygiene and sanitation more than before and also teach our children.”
Kazihise Josephine & Habiyaremye J. Pierre
Hygiene Club Members, Taba Village
Community Awareness Campaigns
CFO conducted extensive community awareness campaigns on WASH and Menstrual Health Management through multiple channels:
- TV show on May 28, 2022 focusing on 'Menstruation health management for adolescent girls and young women in Rwanda'
- WASH messages aired via Radio Ishingiro during MCH week
- World Water Day celebration with Gasange Sector communities in 2023
- Community awareness through INTEKO Z'ABATURAGE at cell level using student sketches
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