Mrs. Annan visit Majuan Primary School in Shunyi District, Beiing
Beijing, 12 October 2004 - The crucial importance of good hygiene and sanitation in maintaining the health and well-being of children was the focus of a visit today by Mrs Nane Annan to Majuan Primary School in Shunyi District, Beijing. Mrs Annan is in Beijing with United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan on an official visit to China. Mrs Annan met with pupils and teachers who are participating in a UNICEF-supported project that promotes good personal hygiene, such as hand washing before meals, brushing teeth, and not smoking or drinking. The project encourages children to share the hygiene knowledge and skills they learn with their families and communities. “The boys and girls in this school are agents of change”, Mrs Annan said in her remarks to the children, “You are learning about personal health and hygiene. Even the simple act of washing your hands before you eat and after going to the toilet can prevent the spread of many dangerous diseases.” Mrs Annan was particularly impressed to see the pupils testing the quality of their own household water supply. Using a simple and inexpensive kit developed by UNICEF, the children check the water for the presence of harmful bacteria and raise the alert if needed. In the course of the visit, Mrs Annan – who was accompanied by UNICEF officials along with Mrs Cong Jun, wife of China’s Ambassador to the United Nations - saw the improved hand-washing and sanitation facilities at the school and the hygiene education materials that guide the project. The project is part-funded by a donation from Biotherm, a multi-national cosmetics brand. Mrs Annan also commended the commitment of the Shunyi school authorities to the project and the enthusiasm of the children to learn these life-protecting skills. She drew attention to the fact that UNICEF’s school water, sanitation and hygiene campaign (WASH) is carried out all over the world and thus helps ensure that the right of children to good health is protected.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT Mr. Femi Odediran (English), Tel: (86-10) 65323131 ext 1808 Mr. Yang Zhenbo (Chinese & English), Tel: (86-10) 65323131 ext 1806 Fax: (86-10) 65323107
|
