Handwashing Stations Established

Covid-19 Response

Installing Hand Wash Stations in Haiti

For most Americans there are likely multiple places for them to wash their hands inside their own home. That is not the case for most Haitians. They live in homes where freshwater is accessible outside at only a few locations in their village. Following the most basic protection guidance to wash hands as a way to reduce transmission of the virus is difficult if not impossible.

Working with funds from the emergency appeal, Hope for Haitians has been able to increase access to handwashing stations in half of the villages we built. This means thousands of people will have a better chance to protect themselves from Covid-19 by doing proper hand washing.

The Basic Wash Station

The simple systems we installed use an elevated water barrel, some pipes and a small bowl with a drain. Manually refilled by hand, these wash stations make it possible for many more people to take basic precautions to protect themselves, their family and their neighbors.

In addition to wash station barrel, piping, basin and spigot we provided, there were buckets for refilling the barrel and soaps to be used for washing.

Installing Hand Wash Stations in Haiti

Once secured, materials are organized and prepared in one of the villages community centers. A cement base was poured to elevate the 55 gallon water barrel and provide a gravity feed flow of water. After the concrete base dried, the barrel, buckets, piping, spigot, and basin were brought in using a pickup truck and the hand washing station was assembled on site.

Good Leadership Ensures Better Outcomes

Continuing our work building the capacity of local communities to self-manage their resources, the installation of additional wash stations was accompanied by training on best practices to reduce the spread of Covid-19. Dr Jean Claudius, conducted demonstrations and instructional sessions with local leadership in the villages. Those trained leaders will then teach others and make sure the systems installed are filled with water, have adequate soap and are being used properly.

Hope for Haitians is grateful for the hard work of Dr. Claudius Jean Junior, who coordinated this project on the ground in Haiti. Dr. Jean participated in the Haitian Ministry of Health’s training on covid-19 prevention, management, resources and treatment. It was his efforts that secured the soap, wash stations and buckets required for this project; coordinated the installation of the hand wash stations, and lead the training of village leadership on proper use.