SATO: More Than Just Pans and Taps - A Story of Innovation and Impact
The Ripple Effect of the LIXIL-UNICEF Initiative on Children’s Health and Well-being.
Several months ago, Marie Agnes Nzamukosha, a resident of Musanze District in Rwanda's Northern Province and a mother to one-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Genereuse Iyamumpaye, faced a distressing situation. Genereuse's recurrent illnesses necessitated frequent hospital visits, which took a toll on Marie Agnes both emotionally and physically.
The source of Genereuse's ailments was eventually traced back to infections resulting from inadequate hygiene practices. This not only strained the family financially but also demanded a considerable amount of Marie Agnes's time. The persistent illnesses affected not just Genereuse but also had a broader impact on the well-being of their entire household.
Donated in-kind through the “Make a Splash!” UNICEF-LIXIL partnership, the Government of Rwanda, through the National Child Development Agency (NCDA), distributed 10,000 SATO pans and taps to 10,000 HECD Centres in 17 districts.
The impact is undeniable, as the numbers attest, with the pans and taps benefiting over 194,568 children and more than 39,414 individuals.
The need for these products was evident across all HECDs in the country. Jean Baptiste Mbonyeyezu, the Director of the HECD that Nzamukosha’s daughter attends, passionately said, “These SATO products were like heaven-sent; before receiving them, children faced frequent illnesses, primarily cholera, and diarrhoea . Our HECD Centre receives children under the age of three; they used to fear using the toilets due to the size of the toilet holes.”
He elaborated, “Our previous toilet facilities were essentially holes. These children would rather use the bush or perform their bowel movement on the top of the toilets, leading to a surge in diseases.”
The fear of using toilets diminished as the SATO pans effectively sealed the toilet holes after use, and the children consistently remembered to utilize the SATO taps for handwashing with soap because they found them more accessible and easier to use.
The impact was profound, extending its reach to every parent with a child in this HECD Centre and other HECD Centres nationwide.
“After the HECD received these SATO products, I observed a notable improvement in my child’s well-being and health. At the HECD Centre, we consistently teach children the importance of handwashing before meals, after using the toilet, and upon arriving at school. My daughter quickly learned the significance of proper handwashing and made it a routine, even extending it to our home. As a result, she stopped falling ill often, which completely stopped the numerous hospital visits,” Nzamukosha said.
“Even at home, she reminds us to wash our hands with soap before meals and after using the toilet. She even reminds me to assist her with handwashing when she is unable to do it herself. As a result, our home experiences minimal sickness, and issues related to poor hygiene are rare. She has effectively taught us the routine and importance of washing hands with clean water and soap,” added Nzamukosha.
"The HECD fosters a heightened awareness of hygiene not only among the children but also among the caregivers and within households. The SATO pans contributed to a decrease in diseases, as they can be securely closed after use, preventing flies from reaching food preparation areas," shared Emmanuel Ntacyumpenze, the Musanze District Officer in Charge of Early Childhood Development, highlighting the impactful changes at the district level.
"Statistically, there has been a notable increase in hygiene practices in Musanze District, ranging from 70 to 80 per cent, signifying a tangible and positive change," he added.
The SATO pans and taps initiative has reduced the prevalence of diseases and instilled lifelong hygiene practices among children and caregivers, transforming their well-being.
The success in Musanze District underscores the potential for further expansion countrywide to enhance community-wide hygiene practices and improve overall public health.
In 2018, UNICEF and LIXIL formally launched the 'Make a Splash!' (MaS!) partnership, leveraging the distinctive strengths of both organizations to enhance access to water, sanitation, and hygiene, thereby uplifting the well-being of children and families. In three years, MaS! made significant strides, positively impacting sanitation and hygiene for over 2.9 million individuals in Africa. Building upon this success, the partnership expanded its reach in late 2021, ultimately extending support to a total of 5.6 million people globally by 2022.
