Hygiene Awareness Raised in India’s Air Pollution Capital

Kolkata has been called the “air pollution capital of India.” Believers Church Kolkata Diocese undertook the task of teaching people to stay clean in this difficult environment.

The Diocese held three Global Hand Washing Day programs from 15th-17th October 2010. The first started at 8:30 AM on the 15th at the local Bridge of Hope center. Rt. Rev. P.S. Thomas inaugurated this awareness program.

The Bridge of Hope project center distributed soap and towels to the students to help them incorporate hygienic habits into their daily lives. After this, Bridge of Hope staff and students went to different places by vehicle to raise awareness in their community about the importance of washing hands.

The same morning, a local Women’s Fellowship team also organized a Global Hand Washing Day program. Rev. Fr. Ponnachan (Vicar General) helped inaugurate this roadside event.

A medical doctor was invited to teach the public about the need and benefits of washing hands. He gave a 15 minute speech and demonstrated the proper way to wash hands.

Around 200 people gathered for the program. Additionally, the Believers Church team was able to distribute 1,000 pamphlets that talked about the risks of eating food without washing hands.

On 17th October, the Diocese had a special educational event for children. Rev. Fr. Ajoy taught the importance of washing hands to the 90 kids who gathered. Then they watched a video on hygiene prevention produced by Believers Church.

After the teaching, the children received coloring sheets based on hand washing. They happily colored and then got the chance to try out their new skills by washing their hands.

Similar Global Hand Washing Day programs were held in communities by Believers Church all over South Asia.