Soap in Schools Program Launches in Las Vegas

Clean the World recently launched Soap in Schools in Las Vegas, a program in partnership with Sands Cares.  Started in January 2016, the program has run domestically in Orlando, Florida and internationally in Kenya and Tanzania, expanding to India and Haiti 2017.  The program is designed to teach handwashing education to students each month across a network of eight school locations throughout the greater Las Vegas area ranging, from daycares to elementary schools.

The mission for Soap in Schools is to teach families and children the importance of handwashing.  Globally, approximately 2.5 billion cases of diarrhea occur among children under 5 years old every year.  Diarrheal diseases kill approximately 1.8 million people per year.  The World Health Organization (WHO) and World Bank, promote hand washing with soap as the most effective intervention to reduce this statistic.   

During the program, Clean the World distributes hygiene kits to families in need and play interactive games with children to keep them engaged and interested in learning about germs and how to maintain proper hygiene.  Some of the activities of the program include a black light activity where students can spot the germs on their hands, a handwashing demonstration where they learn to sing “Tops and Bottoms,” a sing-a-long that lasts 20 seconds, the recommended amount of time a person should spend washing their hands, and a trivia game.

“The smaller kids really seem to enjoy the song and seeing the germs light up on their hands,” Kevin Williams, Mobile Hygiene Manager for Clean the World, said.  “It’s good for them to see how quickly germs can spread from shaking each other’s hands.  They also do really good with the trivia game and knowing where in their house is the dirtiest spot and what they can do to prevent spreading germs.  It’s been a great way to spread the word on how to practice proper hygiene.”

Since 2011, Las Vegas Sands has supported Clean the World through various programs.  LVS has donated nearly $2 million to accelerate Clean the World’s mission in doubling its production of recycled soap and expanding its services into new areas.  Through Sands Cares, LVS’ corporate giving program, the company is focused on partnerships that promote the community’s livability by strengthening educational opportunities and improving the region’s foundation by solving chronic issues. 

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