Desher Kaj
Handwashing corner, Kishoreganj
A basin, soap and one poster at a school, madrasa or market.
Area
Kishoreganj
People
3 people
Time
About 5 hours
Difficulty
Easy
About this task
In haor-land Kishoreganj, safe water and hygiene are a big problem in the monsoon. A lasting handwashing spot at a school, madrasa or market: a basin, a tap, a soap shelf and one simple picture poster on when and how to wash. One person at the place is given the job of replacing the soap.
Why it matters
Washing hands with soap cuts diarrhoea and chest infections markedly: it is the cheapest health care there is. Many schools and markets have water, but no place to wash with soap.
What changes after
Children wash with soap before tiffin and after the toilet; it is settled who replaces the soap.
Who can join
Anyone. Best with one plumber or someone who can fit a tap.
Step by step
- 1Done
The spot and the permission60 min
Agree the spot with the head teacher or market committee, where the water drains away.
- 2Done
Fit the basin and tap180 min
A basin at child height, a tap, and a drain to the nearest outlet.
- 3Done
Soap and poster30 min
A soap shelf and a picture poster of the six steps of washing.
Checklist to get ready
- Basin · ২টি
- Soap · ১ মাসের
When it counts as done
- Water runs from the tap and soap is there
Proof required: Before photo, After photo, Receipt
What it costs
| Basin (ceramic or strong plastic) | 2 | ৳1,200–2,500 |
| Tap (push or plain) | 2 | ৳250–600 |
| Pipe, fittings and drain pipe | 1 set | ৳800–1,500 |
| Plumber's wage | 1 day | ৳800–1,500 |
| Soap (first month) | 8 bars | ৳40–60 |
| Soap shelf or net holder | 2 | ৳100–250 |
| Picture poster, laminated | 2 | ৳100–200 |
| Total (about) | ৳5,200–10,600 | |
Getting ready, step by step
7 days before
Sit with the head teacher or market committee to pick a spot near the water line, with a way for water to drain.
Show the plumber and get a quote.
Take the before photo.
3 days before
Buy basin, taps, pipe; keep receipts.
Print the poster: washing steps in pictures, and when (before food, after the toilet).
The day before
Confirm time with the plumber and a person at the place.
Measure the children's height to set the basin height.
On the day
Fit basin and tap; test the drain.
Put up soap, shelf and poster.
Write down who replaces the soap.
The week after
Visit at tiffin time to see if children use it.
If the tap drips, call the plumber back.
Who does what
- Lead (1): The permission, the shopping and the receipts. — ____________
- Plumber's helper (1): Stays with the plumber, hands things over, cleans up after. — ____________
- Poster and teaching (1): Puts up the poster and shows the children the washing steps on the first day. — ____________
The day, hour by hour
- 09:00Arrive with materials; measure the spot.
- 09:30Plumber starts: connection from the water line.
- 11:00Basin fixed; drain pipe to the nearest outlet.
- 12:30Run water: check for leaks and drainage.
- 13:00Put up the soap shelf and poster.
- 13:30After photo; note the person in charge; photo of receipts.
What can go wrong, and what to do
- No water line, or it is far → Use a covered bucket or drum with a tap; agree who fills it daily.
- Water pools into mud → Run the drain pipe to the nearest outlet and lay bricks underneath.
- Soap stolen or runs out → Tie the bar in a net bag or fix a liquid soap bottle to the wall.
- The tap breaks → Give the person in charge the plumber's number.
Useful numbers
- 16263Shasthya Batayon: a doctor on the phone
- 999National emergency: police, fire, ambulance (free)
Questions people ask
- What does it cost?
- A plain basin, tap and pipe come to a few thousand taka. Pledges can be taken on the task page; put the receipt photo in the proof.
- What if there is no running water?
- A covered bucket with a tap works too; agree who fills it each day.
- Can I join if I cannot stay the whole time?
- Yes. Say in your request which step or which hours you can do. The lead will give that step to you.