October 2023
Greetings to all my readers! I am excited to welcome you to part 6 of my blog. I always eagerly look forward to participating in the IBT (Issue Based Training). Today’s topic for the IBT training was Sanitation.
Sima asked us to share our thoughts on what comes to mind when we hear the word sanitation. At first, I thought it was a simple concept that I knew everything about, but after our discussion, I realized there was much more to it than I initially thought. It became clear that our understanding of sanitation was limited, and there was much to learn about maintaining cleanliness and proper hygiene. I live in a village where many people, including myself, have little knowledge about personal hygiene, home cleaning, and keeping our surroundings clean. During a recent discussion, I realized how important it is for us to be aware of these things and take action. For instance, most of us used to brush our teeth once a day in the morning before eating anything. However, we learned that it is better to brush our teeth twice a day, after eating, both in the morning and in the evening.
During our training session, we had a discussion about menstruation. However, when the topic came up, we all felt embarrassed and avoided talking about it. Our trainer, Sima, assured us that menstruation is a natural process and there is no need to feel ashamed. She emphasized the importance of washing our private parts regularly and properly cleaning any cloth used during the menstruation period before drying it in the sun. While some may feel shy about hanging it out to dry, the sun’s rays can help eliminate bacteria.
Additionally, she stressed the significance of maintaining a clean kitchen by washing dishes daily. She also recommended washing the stone grinder after every use, something that many people tend to overlook.
It is crucial to maintain cleanliness in our homes, especially in our rooms. We learned that even our mattresses and quilts need to be exposed to sunlight occasionally as it helps kill germs and keep us safe. It is equally important to consume clean water only. Before we drink any water, we must ensure that it is purified. In case the water isn’t purified, we must take necessary measures to purify it, such as boiling it.
On that day, we learned many important things and decided it was time for a change. After discussing the matter, all members of Tanahun WAWCAS Group No. 43 agreed to clean the surroundings of our meeting place. We put our words into action and cleaned the area, which was a very satisfying experience for us all. After cleaning the area, it just looked amazing. I thought that if everyone in the village cleaned their houses and the surrounding area, it would look even more impressive. Our meeting was over, and we went back to our houses. As I looked around my kitchen, room, toilet, and goat shed, I realized how dirty they were. I felt ashamed of the mess.
Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to the trainers who provided me with such valuable training on sanitation. I have made a promise to myself to keep my home and surroundings clean, and I am committed to changing my behavior starting today.