SDA CHURCH, YOUTH WASH AMBASSADORS LAUNCH HANDWASHING CHALLENGE

By Alain Kabinda

LUSAKA — The Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church, through its Lusaka Conference Health Ministries Department, has partnered with the Youth WASH Ambassador Club (YWAC) to launch a Handwashing Challenge aimed at promoting hygiene and preventing the spread of infectious diseases.

The initiative, launched as part of Global Handwashing Day commemorations under the theme “Be a Hygiene Hero,” seeks to encourage church members, families, young people and communities to practise proper handwashing using soap and clean water.

Lusaka Conference Health Director Ms. Ntinga said simple hygiene practices could make a significant difference in protecting public health.

                                                                Ms. Ntinga

She said the Church had an important role to play in educating its members and communities about the importance of handwashing and disease prevention.

“Sometimes, we think that making a difference requires significant resources or a large platform. However, change can begin with something as simple as washing our hands correctly with soap and clean water,” Ms. Ntinga said.

She said the Church would use its existing structures, including worship services, youth programmes and community outreach activities, to promote good hygiene practices.

The Lusaka Conference has 109,119 members, 334 churches and 34 mission districts, providing a broad network for spreading hygiene awareness.

The Handwashing Challenge encourages church members, families and community groups to demonstrate proper handwashing techniques, educate others and inspire more people to become hygiene champions.

The initiative comes amid continued public health concerns over cholera and diarrhoeal diseases, which can be reduced through appropriate hygiene practices.

Handwashing with soap and clean water is an important measure for preventing infections, particularly after using the toilet and before preparing or eating food.

The partnership also seeks to strengthen youth participation in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) advocacy by encouraging young people to use their networks and digital platforms to promote positive behavioural change.

The initiative complements the SDA Church’s “One Voice, One Health” message, which promotes collaboration across departments to advance community wellbeing.

Ms Ntinga urged households, schools, church departments and community organisations to embrace the initiative and make hygiene a shared responsibility.

“Let us use our faith to inspire action. Let every home, church department, school and community become a place where good hygiene is practised and promoted,” she said.

The two organisations have called on the public to participate in the challenge, practise proper handwashing at critical times and encourage others to adopt the habit.