Handwashing corner, Kishoreganj
A basin, soap and one poster at a school, madrasa or market.
- 0/3 people
- About 5 hours
- 10
- points
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
0 of 3 steps doneHow to do it, in order.About 4.5 hours across all steps
- 1
The spot and the permission
Agree the spot with the head teacher or market committee, where the water drains away.
60 min
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet - 2
Fit the basin and tap
A basin at child height, a tap, and a drain to the nearest outlet.
180 minবেসিন, কল, পাইপ
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet - 3
Soap and poster
A soap shelf and a picture poster of the six steps of washing.
30 minসাবান, পোস্টার
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet
What you need
- 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
The full guide
What it takes, and how to do it
Never done this before? No matter. The cost, the timeline, who does what, whom to speak to, the day hour by hour, the risks and ready words to send are all here.
- About
- ৳5,200–10,600
- People
- 3
- Time in all
- 5 hours
- Age
- Any age
Best timeAll year. At a school, the start of the year or before the rains (before the diarrhoea season) is best. Do the fitting on a holiday so classes are not disturbed.
PermissionPermission from the head teacher, madrasa superintendent or market committee. Get it in writing.
What it costs
Prices differ by district and season; this is a 2026 estimate. Keep receipts and put them in the proof.
| What | How much | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Basin (ceramic or strong plastic)2Where: Sanitary-ware shop | 2 | ৳1,200–2,500 |
| Tap (push or plain)2Where: Sanitary-ware shop | 2 | ৳250–600 |
| Pipe, fittings and drain pipe1 setWhere: Hardware shop | 1 set | ৳800–1,500 |
| Plumber's wage1 dayWhere: Local plumber | 1 day | ৳800–1,500 |
| Soap (first month)8 barsWhere: Grocery shop | 8 bars | ৳40–60 |
| Soap shelf or net holder2Where: Hardware shop | 2 | ৳100–250 |
| Picture poster, laminated2Where: Print and photocopy shop | 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
Lead1
The permission, the shopping and the receipts.
Plumber's helper1
Stays with the plumber, hands things over, cleans up after.
Poster and teaching1
Puts up the poster and shows the children the washing steps on the first day.
Whom to speak to first
Head teacher, madrasa superintendent or market committee
- Why
- The place is theirs; someone of theirs must keep the soap.
- How
- Meet in person and give a written application.
School managing committee
- Why
- They can cover later repairs or soap.
- How
- Raise it at their meeting through the head teacher.
Caretaker or peon
- Why
- They see it every day.
- How
- Have them present on the day to show the water line.
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.
How to take the proof
- Before and after from the same angle.
- One photo with water running and soap in place.
- Clear photos of every receipt, amounts readable.
- If children's faces show, get the head teacher's consent; better from behind.
Common first-time mistakes
- Fitting the basin at adult height; children cannot reach.
- Forgetting drainage; mud forms underneath.
- Leaving without settling who keeps the soap.
- Not keeping 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.
Ready words to send
Copy, fill the [brackets], send.
Volunteer call
Hello. We will fit a handwashing corner at [institution] on [date] from 9 am. Needed: 3 people — one to shop, one with the plumber, one for the poster and showing the children. Ideal if someone knows plumbing. If you want to buy an item, speak to the lead directly; all receipts will be shown. Sign up on the Desher Kaj task page.
Application to the head teacher
Date: [date] To, The Head Teacher, [school] Subject: Permission to set up a volunteer handwashing corner. Sir/Madam, A few volunteers from the area wish to fit, at our own cost, 2 basins, taps, a soap shelf and a poster at [spot, e.g. beside the toilets]. The work will be done on [date], a holiday. If the school names one person to keep the soap, the corner will stay in use. We request your kind permission. Yours sincerely, [name], team lead [mobile number]
After it is done
- After a month, check soap and tap and add a photo.
- Ask the school committee to budget a little for soap each month.
- Ask a teacher to show the washing steps in class now and then.
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.