Every quarter, the library of Iffa Boru Dimma School becomes more than a place of books—it becomes a gathering space where ideas, challenges, and solutions converge.
This gathering, known as the Wash Club Teachers’ Meeting, is part of GFoundation’s ongoing WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) project in Ethiopia. More than a routine meeting, it has become an important platform for collaboration, problem-solving, and student leadership.
Teachers, school directors, Wash Club student leaders, government officers, and GFoundation staff sit side by side, exchanging perspectives and building trust. Together, they discuss the realities schools face, from water shortages to maintenance challenges, while working toward practical solutions that support healthier and more supportive school environments for students—especially girls, who are often more affected by sanitation and hygiene challenges at school.
Why These Meetings Matter
Many schools in Ethiopia continue to face challenges related to hygiene infrastructure and maintenance. Limited access to clean water and sanitation facilities can affect students’ health, safety, and ability to learn comfortably at school.
For girls, these challenges can be especially difficult due to limited privacy and inadequate sanitation support within school environments.
Rather than leaving schools to address these challenges alone, the Wash Club Teachers’ Meeting creates a space where schools, communities, and local stakeholders can work together toward long-term solutions.
The meetings help schools openly discuss concerns, strengthen cooperation, and improve the sustainability of school hygiene projects over time.
A Bridge Between Schools and Government
One of the most valuable aspects of the meetings is the direct participation of local government stakeholders.
When schools experience challenges such as water supply interruptions or maintenance concerns, teachers and students can raise these issues directly with decision makers. GFoundation helps facilitate these conversations and coordinate follow-up support.
This direct dialogue transforms challenges into opportunities for collaboration, helping schools respond more effectively to sanitation and water-related issues.
Inspiring Student Leadership
Perhaps the most inspiring element of these gatherings is the role of students.
Wash Club student leaders are invited to participate in discussions alongside teachers, directors, and government officers. For many students, this is their first experience with leadership and advocacy.
Many of the active student leaders are girls who are learning to speak confidently about hygiene, responsibility, and creating healthier school environments for their peers.
After participating, students often return to their schools motivated to:
- Encourage classmates to practice good hygiene
- Help protect school facilities
- Promote responsibility within their school communities
Their involvement builds confidence, responsibility, and a sense of ownership—qualities that ripple through the school community and strengthen long-term sustainability.
Strengthening Connections Through Shared Learning
The meetings also create opportunities for schools to learn from one another.
Teachers exchange ideas and practical strategies for sustaining hygiene projects and supporting healthier school communities over time. Government officers gain a clearer understanding of the realities schools face on the ground, allowing them to respond more effectively to unresolved challenges.
Over time, even GFoundation headquarters staff have joined these meetings, sharing insights and reinforcing the bond between schools and the organization. These connections help ensure that hygiene projects remain active, effective, and sustainable long after implementation.
More Than a Quarterly Meeting
The Wash Club Teachers’ Meeting is more than a quarterly event—it is a living story of collaboration, accountability, and shared vision.
By bringing together students, schools, communities, government officers, and GFoundation staff, these meetings help strengthen healthier learning environments and build more sustainable school communities.
Most importantly, they remind students that their voices matter and that they have the power to help shape healthier futures for their schools and communities.
Together, we can ensure that no girl has to miss school or hide her period because of poverty.
| Donate for Better Hygiene
- Become a Monthly Donor – Help provide ongoing access to hygiene essentials, including menstrual products, so girls can stay healthy, confident, and continue learning without interruption.
- Make a One-Time Gift – Support the distribution of hygiene kits, including soap and menstrual care supplies, for students in underserved schools.
