03/04/2025
Hygiene Heroes in Action!
Episode 8: Big Leap—The Journey to Cleaner Lands!
The heroes now take the last mile of their journey with excitement and hope; they have polished the path, bridging actions and solutions to problems. Advocates of Little Hands, Big Hygiene from 12 STEM I - St. Andrew have concluded their last community deployment at Camp 3 Elementary School in Tuba, Benguet, on April 02, 2025. Given another opportunity to fulfill the advocacy goals, advocates now seized this to leave an incredible legacy.
The arrival at the community, followed by an hour of lunch break and preparation, gave the advocates the energy and confidence to execute their activities. Continuing the partnership with Nam-ay Eskwela, the first activity aimed to restore the comfort and functionality of the campus restrooms, the advocates now cleaned and prepared them for fitting service. It now gave the learners the appropriate environment with respect for their hygiene and healthy habits. Additionally, to address the lack of resources for practicing proper hygiene, the advocates distributed hand soaps and cleaning materials to promote healthy habits at various handwashing stations, restrooms, and classrooms.
The advocates also prepared a program for the Grade 4 students, featuring a video presentation by Mrs. Mary Ann Bacullo; however, due to a power interruption in the area, the advocates now improvised the program's content. They held an interactive discussion and review of the previous workshop with the students, reiterating the importance of hygiene practices. Moreover, games and activities with the pupils' participation were made lively with the various rewards given. All these activities have secured a lasting impression and knowledge of the importance of personal hygiene practices and healthy habits.
Lastly, the day ended with the mural wall painting and the culminating program for all the advocacy groups. Through the mural, each group showcased and left their mark at Camp 3 Elementary School through creative artwork that delivered the messages of their advocacies. The culminating program featured the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the newly refurbished restrooms, in which Little Hands, Big Hygiene participated together with Nam-ay Eskwela and their partner, United Architect of the Philippines. Lastly, to wrap up all the activities, certificates and tokens were awarded to various partners and sponsors to show each advocacy group's appreciation.
The two-day community deployment featured projects that built relationships and answered real-world challenges. It is an unforgettable experience, showcasing active participation in the power of collaboration, learning, and service. Each advocate, partner, and community member has made this initiative tremendously successful. The community immersion is a milestone in continuing the service, advocacy, and transformation journey. As the advocacy wraps up, we carry forward not just results, but also the experiences that will shape future efforts.
📸: LHBH, Nam-ay