Media Personalities Julie Gichuru and Lulu Hassan help to raise Ksh 7.2 million for Turkana’s Water and Sanitation Projects

The Julie Gichuru and Lulu Hassan led BE A HERO campaign has managed to raise over 7.2 million. The campaign which was sponsored by Leading antiseptics brand, Dettol in partnership with Non-Profit Organization Save the Children Kenya is aimed at raising funds that will go towards installing hand washing and sanitation facilities in schools in Turkana County.

Turkana County Women Rep Joyce Emanikor  flanked by Save the Children Kenya Country Manager, Duncan Harvey and RB Manager, Mr. Richard Pereirra (R )n displaying the cheque  with the funds raised during the BE A HERO campaign that was sponsored by Dettol.

Save the Children will be installing the hand washing and sanitation facilities in 15 – 20 schools  within Turkana County and training of teachers and students in health and hygiene promotion.

Launched in October last year, The BE A HERO campaign is part of Dettol’s Commitment  to raise water and sanitation standards  in Kenya’s Arid and Semi-Arid regions, by installation of sustainable health projects that will ease access to basic sanitation in these regions.

While speaking during a brief funds handover ceremony in Nairobi, RB Country Manager, Mr. Richard Pereirra noted that the company has placed a strategic focus on development of health and hygiene programs through this year.

“Dettol will continue to invest in health and hygiene promotion in schools and at the community level by partnering with the National Government, Local Governments and

Non-Profit Organisations.

According to the 2009 Kenya National Census, only 37% of families in Turkana have access to improved water and only 1% of the population has sanitation facilities coverage. As such, cholera is a constant threat to child survival contributing to an under-five mortality rate of 117 per every 1,000 live births in Turkana, and impeding Kenya’s efforts to end preventable child deaths.

“We are looking to enable easier access to health and hygiene facilities by installing hand washing and sanitation facilities that will benefit 35,000 school children in 15 – 20 schools”. Noted Save The Children Kenya Country Manager, Mr. Duncan Harvey.

Through the years, Dettol has implemented school programs focused on teaching children when and how to wash their hands with soap and water. Through this, the company has reached up to 1,500,000 children.

Dettol brand has been a key champion of hand washing with soap in partnership with the government and not-for-profit organizations, in its quest to support the country in achieving its goal to be a healthier country, in line with Vision 2030.