Across ten schools in Ethiopia’s Oromia Region—within Sheger City’s Sebeta and Gelan Guda sub-cities—more than 10,730 students are experiencing meaningful change through Gfoundation’s school WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) project.
This initiative goes beyond providing supplies. It focuses on health, dignity, and long-term behavior change in school communities.
What Challenges Do Schools in Ethiopia Face with Hygiene and Sanitation?
Many schools in the region face ongoing challenges related to clean water access, sanitation facilities, and hygiene awareness.
Students often lack:
- Reliable access to handwashing facilities
- Safe sanitation infrastructure
- Basic hygiene supplies
These conditions can increase the risk of waterborne diseases and affect students’ ability to learn in a safe environment.
What Does Gfoundation Actually Do in These Schools?
Gfoundation’s approach combines infrastructure, education, and relationship-building.
Each week, the team visits schools to:
- Meet with school directors and teachers
- Listen to students through WASH clubs
- Monitor needs and provide ongoing support
These regular interactions help ensure that the program is responsive to real student needs, not just one-time support.
How Do Students Learn About Hygiene?
Education is a key part of the program.
Through training sessions and awareness campaigns, students learn:
- Proper handwashing practices
- How hygiene prevents disease
- Ways to apply these habits in daily life
For many students, these lessons extend beyond the classroom and influence families and communities.
What Kind of Support Do Students Receive?
After the handover phase of the project, Gfoundation provided practical hygiene supplies to all students:
- Soap for daily hygiene (for boys)
- Sanitary pads for menstrual health management (for girls)
Before distribution, girls also participated in training sessions to ensure they could use the products safely and confidently.
These items were carefully selected to meet real, everyday needs.
Why Are These Small Items So Important?
Items like soap and sanitary pads may seem simple, but their impact is significant.
They help provide:
- Better health and disease prevention
- Increased confidence, especially for girls
- A sense of dignity and inclusion
For many students, receiving these items is also a reminder that they are seen, valued, and supported.
What Impact Is This Project Creating?
The impact of the program goes beyond hygiene.
It is helping to:
- Improve daily school life
- Strengthen school communities
- Build healthy habits that last over time
By combining education, infrastructure, and consistent engagement, the project supports both immediate needs and long-term change.
Why Does School Hygiene Matter for the Future?
Improving hygiene in schools is not only about preventing illness.
It is about creating an environment where children can learn, grow, and thrive.
Through its WASH program in Ethiopia, Gfoundation is helping build a future where students have:
- Safer learning conditions
- Greater confidence
- Stronger opportunities for growth
| 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.
