Hygiene Matters Lower Primary Teacher's Guide

n e e i g y H

r e s t t a M A Life Skills Curriculum

Teacher’s Guide (Grades 1-3)

Table of Contents Introduction ............................................................Page 1 Lesson Plan Format ..................................................Page 2 The Lessons Lesson 1 What Are Worms?.........................................Page 3 Lesson 2 Hand Hygiene .............................................Page 9 Lesson 3 Keep Your Food Clean ................................ Page 14 Lesson 4 Protect Your Feet....................................... Page 19 Lesson 5 Always Use the Latrine............................... Page 23 Lesson 6 Review..................................................... Page 27 Poster/Lesson Summary.......................................... Page 32

Anglicized English Hygiene Matters Lower Primary Teacher’s Guide (HMLP-TG) ISBN: 978-1-59480-830-2 Copyright © 2013 OneHope 600 SW Third Street, Pompano, FL USA 33060 Scripture is taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, Anglicized edition, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2012 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved.

INTRODUCTION Intestinal worms are a major cause of illness among school children.

Intestinal worms rob school children of nutrients, making it more difficult for them to learn and to grow.

Fortunately, children at your school will be treated very soon with medicine to get rid of their worms. Teachers will play a key role in delivering the medicine to children.

After school children have been treated and cured of intestinal worms, they can get worms again if they don’t follow good hygiene practices.

The Hygiene Matters program is specifically designed to teach children in Grades 1 through 3 about intestinal worms, how they infect the body, and how to prevent such infections from occurring.

Each lesson teaches important information about intestinal worms in a way that is fun and easy to understand. The key concepts in each lesson are presented on the large poster that is provided with the course. Each lesson also requires a few additional simple supplies, which are listed with each lesson.

Hygiene Matters is a life skills curriculum. Teaching life skills is different than teaching other academic subjects. The goal is for children to not only learn the material but also to apply it in their own daily lives. Therefore, they must be encouraged to talk about the new concepts, respond to them, and practice them. The more involved the children are in each lesson, the more likely they are to apply what they learn and to share their new knowledge with others. After all, education and prevention measures can do nothing to help stop the spread of intestinal worms unless they’re put into practice.

(For more teaching tips and resource information, please see the “Teaching Tips & Resources” section near the end of this guide.)

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Hygiene Matters Lower Primary: Teacher’s Guide

Lesson Plan Format The program consists of six lessons. Each lesson lasts approximately 45 minutes and follows the following format:

Before Class Begins...

Learning Objectives describe the specific goals for the lesson. They define what the children should know and be able to do as a result of participating.

Background Information for Teachers provides the teacher with additional information about the topics covered in the lesson. This information will help you answer questions from your students.

Supplies Needed list all of the supplies used for the lesson, including any preparation required in advance.

During the Class...

Introduction is a quick and easy way to get the children’s attention and invite them to participate.

Story to Share is a brief read-aloud story that puts the important concepts of the lesson into a real-world, age-appropriate context. Hearing a story makes it easier for the students to apply the new information to their own lives.

Object Lesson is a brief activity that uses objects to demonstrate the most important concepts in the lesson, making the new information easier for the children to grasp. The children can actively participate in many of the object lessons.

“With the poster…” is the core of each lesson. Using the poster as a visual aid, the teacher will explain the new concepts in greater detail.

Bible Connection gives the students the scriptural connection to the hygiene lesson. This will help them see the reason why they should care not only about physical things, but also about spiritual things. To present the Bible Connection, first tell them the principle, then point to the ILLUSTRATION in the Student Book, then read the students the scripture passage. Finally, do the activity at the end.

Lesson Review is an opportunity for the children to share what they’ve learned and for you, the teacher, to assess how well they understood and retained the information. The lesson review also allows the children to interact and put the new concepts presented into their own words.

Closing allows you to emphasize the most important aspect(s) of each lesson.

It reiterates the key points you want the children to take home with them.

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Lesson 1

Lesson 1 :

What Are Worms?

LEARNING OBJECTIVE(S): At the end of the lesson the students should: • Know how intestinal worms affect their health.

• Know that people get worms from worm eggs.

• Know that worm eggs are too small to be seen, so they can get on our hands, on our feet, or in our mouths without us knowing it.

• Know that God created the world completely good, without any bad worms.

• Know that man and woman sinned, bringing bad things into the world.

• Know that sin separates people from God.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR TEACHERS: As a teacher, should I be concerned if my students have intestinal worms?

Yes! For two reasons: • First, worm infections make it more difficult for children to concentrate and learn at school. In fact, children with worms are less likely to even attend school.

• Second, worm infections damage a child’s health. Worms use up nutrients that are necessary for a child to thrive and grow. Children who have had worms for a long time may suffer from serious malnutrition or anaemia, and they are more likely to become sick from other diseases as well.

What are intestinal worms?

Intestinal worms are parasites that live in the human intestine. They feed off the nutrients that we eat. A worm can live in someone’s body for as long as two years. Adult worms vary in length from half a centimetre to 35 centimetres. The largest worms can be as thick as a pencil. Their eggs are so small that they can only be seen with a microscope.

Where do intestinal worms come from?

Adult worms live in the intestines. Their eggs are passed in the faeces of infected persons. A single worm can produce up to 200,000 eggs per day!

If the infected person defecates outside (near bushes, in a garden or field) instead of using a latrine, or if the faeces of an infected person are used as fertilizer, millions of eggs are deposited on soil. In the soil, the eggs mature into a form that can infect people.

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Hygiene Matters Lower Primary: Teacher’s Guide The mature eggs are very small and light, so they can be carried around freely by dust, wind and rain. For example, when it rains, millions of eggs can be quickly spread over a large area.

Worm eggs can also be carried into the home on the feet of people or animals. Flies, cockroaches and rats can also carry worm eggs into the home.

How do the worms get into our bodies?

Worms can get into our bodies in two different ways: 1. Roundworm and whipworm get into our bodies when we accidentally swallow worm eggs that have gotten on our hands or on our food. This can happen in several different ways:

• When we don’t wash our hands before eating

• When children put their fingers in their mouths

• When we eat vegetables or fruits that have not been carefully washed, peeled, or cooked 2. Hookworm is different. When hookworm eggs are in the soil, they grow and hatch into larvae (immature worms). Hookworm larvae can penetrate (go into) our skin if we walk barefoot outside.

After the worm eggs or larvae enter our bodies, they grow into adult worms and live in our intestines, sometimes for years. The adult worms produce more eggs. These eggs leave the body when an infected person defecates. This continues the cycle of worm infection and transmission to other people in the community.

Why do we need to tell students about God and sin?

It is important for students to know that God created the world without sickness. Sickness came as a result of our sin. Students will realize that by fighting worms, they are on God’s side. Students who know that fighting sickness is both physically good AND morally good will be more motivated to follow the hygiene lessons.

Supplies Needed: • Hygiene poster • 6 to 8 small pieces of vegetables such as manioc or carrot* • A pencil and eraser for each student • A small ball (or crumpled piece of paper) * If necessary, small rocks (the size of a coin) can be used instead of vegetables.

(Before the lesson begins, mark more than half of the pieces of vegetables with a tiny dot that’s difficult to see. These dots will later represent worm eggs.)

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Lesson 1

INTRODUCTION: Ask the children to raise their hands if they’ve ever felt sick or have had a friend or relative become sick. (All of the children’s hands should be raised.)

Explain that it’s never fun when we or someone we love is sick. Share that there are many things that can make us sick, including intestinal worms.

Ask if anyone knows what intestinal worms are or where the intestines are in your body. (Most students should know what worms are.)

Explain that intestinal worms are worms that live in our bodies and use up the food that we eat. Sometimes they can make us feel weak and sick.

Explain to the children that you have a quick story you’d like to share with them. Read the story below.

STORY TO SHARE: “Can Kossi come play?” Bada asked as Kossi’s mother came out to greet him.

He was so excited to play with his friend that he’d been singing the whole way over. Kossi’s mother must have heard him coming down the road.

“I’m sorry, Bada, not today,” she replied. “I’m afraid Kossi’s not feeling very well. He’s tired, and just not himself. Maybe tomorrow, all right?”

Bada turned to head home. He wondered how Kossi had gotten sick. Maybe it was because of guava season last month! Kossi loved to eat guavas, but he never took the time to wash them first. Bada always asked him to wait and wash them first, but his friend wouldn’t listen. Bada was glad he waited.

Ask the students to imagine how Bada must feel. He’s likely sad that his friend can’t play, and worried that he’s sick. Kossi’s symptoms—feeling tired and not able to concentrate—are some of the effects that intestinal worms can have on our bodies.

OBJECT LESSON: Ask for a volunteer and invite him or her to join you in front of the group.

Show the volunteer and the other children your small collection of vegetable pieces. Explain that all of it is delicious food that’s good for you. Problem is, though, some of the food is bad. Some of the pieces have worm eggs on them. Take this opportunity to briefly show the students some of the dots on the pieces of vegetables.

Ask students what they think the word “contaminated” might mean. Allow a few students to share their ideas. Explain that “contaminated” is a big word to say that something is “dirty,” “soiled” or “unclean” and can make us unhealthy.

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Hygiene Matters Lower Primary: Teacher’s Guide After reminding the volunteer and the group that there’s no way to know which pieces are “safe,” ask them to randomly select a piece from the collection. (Be sure to inform both the volunteer and the others whether or not the selected piece was “contaminated”.)

Repeat this activity a few times, giving other children the opportunity to volunteer and select a vegetable piece.

Explain that even though the dots (or “worm eggs”) on this food was difficult to see, you could see them if you looked closely enough. But you can’t see worm eggs. They are too small. But when they get inside the body, they can make you ill and cause you to feel like Kossi did in the story.

With the Poster…

Ask the students to look at the inside front cover of their books and show the children the poster featuring the child with contaminated food and contaminated hands. Explain that the sick boy on the left side of the poster got worms from doing several unhealthy things. The goal is to be like the healthy boy on the right side of the poster, who is doing several things to protect himself from worms. Ask them to raise their hands as soon as they can find/see the worm eggs. Explain that even though we can see the worm eggs on the poster, we can’t see them in real life. They are too small, but they are still there and can infect us.

Explain that worm eggs can’t hurt us unless they find a way into our bodies.

While holding up the poster, explain that in the story you shared earlier Kossi didn’t listen to his friend. Instead, he ate the piece of guava, a piece of fruit that was contaminated with worm eggs that he couldn’t see. Bada was wise, though. He waited until he could wash the fruit clean.

Point out that while the worm eggs are easy to see on the poster, in real life they’re very, very small. So small, in fact, that you can’t see them.

Bible Connection: Where Bad Things Come From Ask the students to turn to page 2 in their books. Tell them to follow along as you tell them a story. Tell the students that when God first made the world, it was very good. There were no bad worms to lay tiny worm eggs. This is how God made the world.

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Lesson 1

In the beginning God made everything. On the first day, God said, “Let there be light.” On the second day, God made the sky. On the third day, God made dry land and the oceans. On the land he made plants and trees.

On the fourth day, God made the sun, moon and stars to shine down on the earth. On the fifth day, God made fish and birds. On the sixth day, God made all the different animals. God said that everything he made was good.

Then God said, “Let us make human beings to be like us.” So he took dust from the ground and made a man. He breathed life into the man, and the man came alive. The man’s name was Adam. God planted a garden. He put Adam in the garden to take care of it. God did not want man to be alone.

So he created woman from one of man’s ribs.

God made everything good. But man made things go wrong.

God told Adam that he could eat fruit from any tree in the garden except one.

This tree gave the power to tell the difference between right and wrong. God warned him that if he ate from it he would die. Satan is God’s enemy. He came to Eve in the garden as a snake. He told her she could eat the fruit God had said not to eat. Eve believed the snake’s lie, and she ate the fruit. She disobeyed God’s one rule. Then she gave the fruit to Adam, and he ate it, too. Adam and Eve disobeyed God. They sinned by eating the fruit God had told them not to eat. Right away things changed. They knew they had done wrong. They saw that they were naked.

They were sorry that they had disobeyed. They tried to hide from God. God knew what they had done. God punished Adam and Eve for their sin. For the first time, people would die. But God made a promise! God promised that someone from Eve’s family would defeat Satan one day. God still cared about Adam and Eve. He made clothes for them from animal skins. Because of their sin, God made them leave the garden. The special relationship they had had with God was broken. Since then, all people have been separated from God. They needed someone to bring them back to God. Adam and Eve sinned, the world was no longer perfect. People began to do very bad things.

God says that the punishment for the wrong we do is sickness and death. Our bodies do not last forever. The tiny, bad worms can get into our bodies and make us sick. The tiny worms come from worm eggs that are too small to see.

The worm eggs can be on our hands or on fruits and vegetables that have not been washed. If the worm eggs get into our bodies, they make us sick.

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Hygiene Matters Lower Primary: Teacher’s Guide

LESSON REVIEW: Have the children sit in a circle. Explain that you will be asking them questions about the lesson and the story you shared earlier. Ask the students to raise their hands as soon they’re able to answer. Toss the ball to the first student who raises his or her hand to answer a question. Once a student catches the ball, he or she may answer aloud for the class and then he or she must toss the ball back to you and the game continues.

Questions to ask include: • Why did the piece of fruit make Kossi sick? (It was contaminated with worm eggs.)

• How did Bada stay well? (He washed his fruit/guava before he ate it.)

• How did Bada try to help his friend? (Bada suggested that Kossi wait and wash the fruit.)

• Why should we wash fruits and vegetables if we can’t see any dirt or worm eggs? (Because we can’t see worm eggs with our eyes.)

• Was Bada being a good friend? Why or why not? (Yes, because he was trying to help his friend stay well.)

• What did God create? (People, plants, animals, sun, ocean, etc.)

• What lie did the snake tell Eve? (That she could eat the fruit that God said not to.)

• What did God do to Adam and Eve? (He sent them out of the garden. He made them clothes. He made them a promise.)

Activity: Ask the students to look at page 7 of their books. Read the following instructions for the activity. Draw a piece of fruit with a pencil. Put tiny dots on it to represent worm eggs. Then erase the dots. This is what happens when we wash our fruit. Now it is clean and safe to eat.

Closing: Tell the children that while becoming infected with intestinal worms can sound scary, there’s a lot they can do to help keep well. Share that in the upcoming lessons, they’ll be learning about things they can do to help protect themselves.

Remind students that in the beginning God created the world completely good, without any bad worms. When man and woman sinned, it brought bad things into the world. Tell them that sin separates people from God. Share that in future lessons they’ll learn about how they can be forgiven and live with God.

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Lesson 2

Lesson 2: Hand Hygiene LEARNING OBJECTIVE(S): At the end of the lesson the students should: • Know that worm eggs can get into the body if students eat dirty food or put dirty fingers or objects in their mouths.

• Know that they can contaminate food by not washing their hands before preparing food or eating.

• Know that washing their hands is one way to reduce the chance of worm eggs getting into the body.

• Know the proper way to wash their hands.

• Express an increased intention to wash their hands especially before eating and after using the latrine.

• Know that God sent his Son Jesus to make people’s relationship with God healthy and to clean them from sin.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR TEACHERS: How does food get contaminated with worm eggs?

Worm eggs are commonly found in the soil. They are so small and light that they can be carried around freely by dust, wind and rain.

Fruits, vegetables, or crops grown in a garden or field are often dirty and need to be washed before they can be safely eaten. It is very important to not use human faeces as fertilizer, since it may contain huge numbers of worm eggs.

Food can be contaminated when touched by flies or other animals.

We can contaminate food by not washing our hands before preparing or How does water get contaminated with worm eggs?

By allowing dirt to get into the containers we use to carry or store water.

By allowing dirt to get into a well or other water source.

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Hygiene Matters Lower Primary: Teacher’s Guide How can school children protect themselves from getting worms?

The best way that children can protect themselves from worm infections is by having good personal hygiene practices, and by keeping their surroundings clean. There are 6 ways to reduce the chance of becoming infected: 1. Wash hands with soap (or ash, if you do not have soap) and water for at least 20 seconds before eating and after defecating.

2. Don’t put fingers or objects in the mouth.

3. Wash fruits and vegetables with clean water before eating them.

4. Keep flies and other animals away from food.

5. Wear shoes, especially when going to the latrine.

6. Drink only clean water.

Why do we need to teach school children about hygiene?

Through hygiene education, children learn how to protect themselves and others from getting worms. This knowledge helps stop the transmission of worm infections throughout the whole community.

Why do we need to tell students the results of sin and God’s solution?

Students know that it is not only worms that hurt people. People hurt other people too. Worms will continue to infect the community as long as people do not care for each other. Students need to know that God sent Jesus to stop people from hurting each other.

SUPPLIES NEEDED: • Hygiene poster • A container filled with clean water (from which water can be easily poured) • Soap • 1 empty container (to catch soiled water) • About a cup of (clean) soil

LAST LESSON REVIEW: Share that during the last lesson they learned about the symptoms and some of the effects of intestinal worm infections such as feeling weak and tired, feeling itchy and having difficulty concentrating. Remind the children, too, that intestinal worms and their eggs are very, very small and cannot be seen.

Review the meaning of the words “intestinal” and “contaminated.”

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Lesson 2

INTRODUCTION: Explain that today we’ll be learning about hand hygiene. Ask if anyone knows what hygiene means. Lead them to understand that hygiene includes how to wash our hands carefully and completely in order to help keep us healthy and safe. Explain that this is important because when we don’t wash our hands, any dirt, germs and worm eggs that are on our hands—even if we can’t see them—can get into our mouths and into our bodies. Ask the children to listen quietly as you read the following story.

STORY TO SHARE: Bada and Kossi came home to eat lunch after a long morning of playing.

Hungry, Bada headed straight for the gozo with chicken and fried plantains his mother had prepared for them, but Kossi hesitated.

“Uh, Bada?” Kossi said meekly as his friend got ready to take a bite. “Can we go wash our hands first? We were kicking and throwing that ball around in all that dirt. And, well, I don’t want to get sick again.”

“You’re right,” Bada said. “Mom carefully washed and prepared all this food for us. We should carefully wash our hands, too. Besides, I wouldn’t want to put dirty food in my mouth, so I shouldn’t put dirty hands near it either.”

OBJECT LESSON: Call on a volunteer. Ask him to rub some dirt on his hands for each question he can answer “yes” to: • Do you ever play outside?

• Do you ever go poop or pee?

• Do you ever eat food?

Next, ask the volunteer to show his now dirty hands to the class. Explain that all of us do most if not all of those things. Just imagine how dirty our hands become. Show the students the poster that shows the hands with worm eggs on them to help them do this. And contaminants—including worm eggs—can be all over our hands even if we can’t see them.

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Hygiene Matters Lower Primary: Teacher’s Guide

With the Poster…

Ask the students to look at the inside front cover of their books and show the children the poster that illustrates proper hand washing. Ask that the volunteer hold up his soiled hands again to show the group. Explain that his hands, covered in soil, may be contaminated or dirty with things we can’t see with our eyes but can make us sick. To get them clean and contaminant-free, he’ll need to wash them carefully with clean water and soap.

Next, place an empty container in front of the volunteer. Ask the volunteer to keep his hands still while you pour some clean water over them. Point out how little soil was removed. Explain that you’ll be pouring water over his hands again, but this time you’d like him to rub them together briskly in order to loosen the soil. Afterwards, ask the volunteer to hold up his hands to show how much more soil came off.

Lastly, invite the volunteer to use the soap and briskly rub their hands together for 20 seconds while you pour the clean water again. (You can involve all the students in this last step by having them count from 1 to 20 aloud to time the volunteer.)

Have the volunteer show their hands to the class. Discuss what helped the volunteer’s hands to get clean.

Bible Connection: Sin Hurts People, Jesus Saves People from Sin Ask the students to turn to page 8 in their books. Have them follow along as you read the story.

Tell students that just as everything gets dirty, after Adam and Eve sinned everyone was born with sin in their hearts. Sin in man’s heart leads him to do terrible things.

Adam and Eve had two sons. They were named Cain and Abel. Abel became a shepherd. Cain was a farmer. At harvest time Cain brought to the Lord a gift of his farm produce. Abel brought some of the best lambs.

The Lord accepted Abel and his offering, but he did not accept Cain and his offering. This made Cain very angry. “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked him. You will be accepted if you respond in the right way. But if you refuse to respond correctly, then watch out! Sin is waiting to attack you, and you must defeat it.” Later Cain said to his brother, Abel, “Let’s go out into the fields.” And while they were there, Cain killed his brother.

Cain’s heart was sick. Only God could heal his heart.

Many years after Adam and Eve lived, God sent his son to heal his relationship with people and to heal them from sin. His son is Jesus. Jesus was born in a special way.

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Lesson 2

An angel came to Mary. He told her she was going to have a baby. The angel said the baby was God’s Son and should be named Jesus. Mary said she would do whatever God wanted. Mary gave birth to Jesus and laid him in a bed of hay. Some men were watching over their sheep nearby. An angel appeared to them and said, “Don’t be afraid! I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Saviour has been born today. You will find lying on a bed of hay.” The men went to see Jesus.

Jesus was the one God sent to fulfil his promise to Adam and Eve. Jesus came to fix people’s relationship with God and to heal them from sin.

LESSON REVIEW: Tell the children that to review the most important information from today’s lesson, they’ll all be playing a game called “Fill-in-the-Blank.” Explain that you will be saying a sentence aloud, but it will be up to them to complete the sentence with the correct word or words. Ask that they raise their hands once they know the answer. Use the following statements or create your own: Wash your hands after _______________. (using the latrine, pooping, etc.)

Wash your hands before _____________. (eating or preparing food) Wash your hands with ___________ and ___________. (soap and clean water) To get your hands cleaner, _______ them together. (rub) Sin caused ________ to kill his brother Abel. (Cain) Mary gave birth to ______. (Jesus, the Saviour, God’s Son) Jesus is the one God _______ to Adam and Eve. (promised)

Activity: Read the activity instructions from the student book on page 12. Invite the students to do the activity for this lesson at home.

CLOSING: In closing, remind the children that they don’t need to be afraid of intestinal worms if they know how to protect themselves against infection, including how and when to wash their hands properly.

Tell students that sin in man’s heart results in evil like murder but that we can be clean from sin because Jesus came.

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Hygiene Matters Lower Primary: Teacher’s Guide

Lesson 3 : Keep Your Food Clean LEARNING OBJECTIVE(S): At the end of the lesson the students should: • Know that worm eggs can get into the body if contaminated food is eaten.

• Know that fruits and vegetables are often dirty and need to be washed before they can be safely eaten.

• Know that food can become contaminated with worm eggs when touched by flies or other animals.

• Know that washing fruits and vegetables is one way to reduce the risk of worm eggs getting into their body.

• Express an increased intention to only eat fruits and vegetables that have been washed in clean water.

• Know that as dirty food makes our body sick, sin makes our heart sick.

• Know that when Jesus healed people he demonstrated that he is God’s Son. • Know that Jesus came to clean our sinful heart and bring us back to God our Father.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR TEACHERS: How many people have worms?

• Infestations of intestinal worms are very common. Over one third of the global population is infected by intestinal worms. Children are at high risk for worms because they often play outside in the dirt and put their hands in their mouths without washing them.

• Education can help prevent worm infections and stop the spread of intestinal worms.

How can we prevent food from becoming contaminated with worm eggs?

• By washing hands with soap before preparing food and before eating.

• By keeping flies and other animals away from food.

• By not using human faeces as fertilizer in the garden.

How can we prevent water from becoming contaminated with worm eggs?

• By using clean containers to carry water.

• By never putting fingers or dirty objects into the containers used to carry or store water.

• By keeping the bucket and rope used to draw water from a well off of the ground. (Hang up the bucket or rope; it should never be allowed to touch the ground.)

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Lesson 3

Why do we need to tell students that Jesus heals people from sickness and sin?

• Students may be worried about worms and sin. When students know Jesus is the healer for both kinds of sickness, physical and spiritual, they will have hope.

SUPPLIES NEEDED: • Hygiene poster • A whole fruit (mango, guava, etc.) covered with soil • A container filled with clean water (from which water can be easily poured) • Soap • An empty container (to catch the soiled water)

LAST LESSON REVIEW: Ask the children to share the different ways our hands become dirty and possibly contaminated. Call on a few children to share. (Answers should include: when we play outside, when we use the latrine or poop, when we care for or touch animals, etc.) Next, ask a volunteer to share why it’s important to wash our hands carefully. Show the children the poster that depicts proper hand washing and ask a volunteer to quickly come up and explain the steps to the class.

INTRODUCTION: Point out that if Kossi had known the information they’re about to learn in today’s lesson, he would have listened to his friend’s advice and washed the fruit and wouldn’t have become sick.

Explain that you’d like to introduce the children to two more friends, Yassi and Fatou. Ask them to listen carefully as you read the story.

STORY TO SHARE: “Did you hear about poor Kossi?” Yassi asked as she pulled her hair back with a ribbon.

“Yeah,” Fatou replied as she took out a mango to eat for a snack. Fatou was really hungry and couldn’t wait to eat it.

“Wait!” exclaimed Yassi. “You remembered to wash your hands, but what about the mango? Shouldn’t you wash it before you peel it? It could be dirty, too!”

“Oops,” Fatou said. “My stomach is in such a hurry, I forgot.”

“Better safe than sorry, right?” Yassi replied. “Besides, better your stomach wait a few more minutes than get sick!”

“You’re right,” said Fatou. “Hey, thanks for reminding me!”

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Hygiene Matters Lower Primary: Teacher’s Guide

OBJECT LESSON: Hold up a dirty piece of fruit so that all the children can see.

Next, show the children how filthy your own hands have become by handling the dirty fruit. Point out that Fatou’s hands likely didn’t look this dirty, but not all dirt, germs and contamination—including intestinal worms and their eggs— are this easy to see. After all, poor Kossi learned this lesson the hard way.

With the Poster…

Explain that all fruits, vegetables and crops are grown in the soil, so these foods often get dirty and contaminated with worm eggs.

Raise one of your (still dirty) hands and ask the children to raise their hand if they can think of something else that may carry worm eggs. Call on a student to share. (Their reply should be their own hands. If the children do not naturally come to this conclusion, keep your dirty hand raised for them to see and ask them, “What else can become soiled? What else can get dirty in day-to-day life?”)

Ask the students to look at the inside front cover of their books and show the children the poster that features the mango. Ask them to raise their hand as soon as they see the worm eggs again on the food. Using the poster, explain that the food was made safe to eat by carefully washing away the worm eggs (the contamination) with clean water.

Next, ask the children if they’d want to eat this nice, clean, safe food with hands that were still dirty and possibly contaminated like yours. (Allow a few moments for the children to respond.) Hold up the poster again and point out the worm eggs on the hand. Explain that the only way to ensure our hands are clean and free from contamination (and worm eggs) is by carefully washing them with clean water also.

Ask the children if they can think of anything else that can make their food dirty. Explain that just like our hands can have worm eggs on them, flies and other animals can also carry worm eggs. If flies or other animals touch our food, it can become contaminated with worm eggs and can make us sick.

Take this opportunity to demonstrate proper hand and food washing techniques to the children. Hold up your hands for the group to see. Next, call on a volunteer to pour clean water over the fruit while you rub the dirt off of it, to wash it thoroughly. Lastly, wash your hands with soap and water.

Invite the students to count to 20 out loud while you wash your hands. Hold your clean hands up for the group to see. Point out that the fruit is cleaned and ready to be peeled and enjoyed.

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Lesson 3

Bible Connection: Clean from Sickness and Sin Ask the students to turn to page 13 in their books. Have them follow along as you read the story.

Tell the students that when we wash things they are clean. But they can get dirty again.

Just as dirty food makes our body sick, sin makes our heart sick. Just as food gets dirty again, we sin even after we are sorry. We need to be healed from sickness and from sin.

Jesus helped sick people.

Jesus had power over all things. This showed he was the Son of God. A man named Jairus fell at Jesus’ feet and cried, “My little daughter is dying. Please come heal her so she can live.” Jesus went with Jairus.

As they walked some people came from Jairus’ house and said, “Your daughter is dead. There’s no use troubling Jesus now.”

Jesus heard them and said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.”

When they got to the house Jesus said, “Why is everyone crying? The child isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.”

The people laughed at Jesus. He went to the room where the girl was lying.

Jesus held her hand and said, “Little girl, get up!” The girl stood up and walked around! Everyone was amazed.

Jesus told many stories. One story was about a boy who rebelled against his father.

A man had two sons. The younger son told his father, ‘I want my part of your money now.’ So his father gave it to him. The younger son packed up and left. He spent all his money on wild living. He began to starve. He worked a job feeding pigs. The boy became so hungry that even what he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. One day he thought, ‘At home even the workers have food, and here I am, dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please let me work for you.”’ So he began walking home. While he was still far away, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, hugged him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. ‘ But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest clothes in the house and put them on him. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

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Hygiene Matters Lower Primary: Teacher’s Guide God is just like the father in the story. When we say we are sorry, he welcomes us back and forgives us.

Jesus came to clean our sinful heart and bring us back to God our Father.

LESSON REVIEW: Hold up the now clean piece of fruit for the children to see. Ask them to remember what it looked like before and (if possible) let them see the filthy water left behind. Point out that the once clean water isn’t so clean anymore.

Thankfully all of the dirt and possible contamination is now in the water instead of on the fruit. Next, ask the children whether they’d rather eat the fruit as you showed it at the beginning of the lesson or now, at the end.

(Allow a few children to share their thoughts.)

Ask the children to raise their hands if they want to stay safe and healthy.

Then, ask them to put their hands down. Next, ask them to raise their hands if they know how to make food safe to eat and how to make their hands safe to eat with. Then, ask them to put their hands down. Lastly, ask them to clap their hands together if they’re going to start washing their hands and food before preparing or eating it.

Activity: Read the activity instructions from the student book on page 17. Invite the students to do the activity for this lesson at home.

CLOSING: Ask the children to raise their hands if they agree with Yassi when she said, “Better safe than sorry!” To help the children come to their conclusion, remind them of what happened to Kossi when he didn’t stop to wash the fruit, and what could have happened to Fatou if she hadn’t listened to her friend.

Tell students Jesus not only healed people from physical sickness in their bodies but sin sickness in their hearts. This showed that Jesus was God’s Son.

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Lesson 4

lesson 4 :

Protect Your Feet

LEARNING OBJECTIVE(S): At the end of the lesson the students should: • Know that intestinal worms can get into the body if students barefooted outside.

• Know that wearing shoes reduces the chance of worm eggs getting into the body.

• Express an increased intention to wear shoes at all times, but especially near the latrine.

• Know that it is important that we help take care of other people.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR TEACHERS: What are the most common types of intestinal worms?

Three types of worms are the most common and cause the most damage to children’s health: • Roundworms • Whipworms • Hookworms It is common for a person, especially a child, to be infected with all three types of worms.

Infection with roundworm is called ascariasis.

The name “whipworm” comes from the worm’s distinctive whip-like shape.

Infection with whipworm is called trichuriasis.

The name “hookworm” comes from the worm’s hook-like mouth parts.

Hookworms bite into the intestinal wall and suck blood. Because this is their main diet, untreated hookworm infection can lead to anaemia and malnutrition.

How do the worms get into our bodies?

Worms can get into our bodies in two different ways: 1. Worms can get into our bodies when we accidentally swallow worm eggs that have gotten on our hands or on our food. This can happen in several different ways: • When we don’t wash our hands before eating • When children put their fingers in their mouths • When we eat vegetables or fruits that have not been carefully washed, peeled, or cooked

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Hygiene Matters Lower Primary: Teacher’s Guide 2. Worm eggs are very common in the soil, where they grow and hatch into tiny worms. These worms can penetrate (go into) our skin if we walk barefoot outside.

Why do we need to tell students to help take care of other people?

Students need to know that just as Jesus always helps us, we are always to help others. This will help students see that they must always take care not only for themselves but also for others. Students who help others will help stop the cycle of worm infection and transmission to other people in the community.

SUPPLIES NEEDED: • Hygiene poster • A shoe • A small ball (or crumpled piece of paper)

LAST LESSON REVIEW: Hold up the poster featuring the mango and remind the children that the food they eat can be contaminated. Ask if anyone can remember how. Call on a few children to explain how. (Answers should include: the food grows in contaminated soil, flies or other animals, and we don’t wash our own hands before preparing and eating the food.) Next, ask the children if they can remember how we can make the food safe to eat. Again, call on a few children to share. (Answers should include: wash fruits and vegetables carefully with clean water before eating and wash hands carefully before preparing and eating food.) Review vocabulary as needed.

INTRODUCTION: Share with the children that intestinal worms don’t only get inside their bodies through their mouths, but through their skin, too. Ask them to listen carefully as you read the story below. Review vocabulary as needed.

STORY TO SHARE: “Hurry!” Yassi exclaimed. “Kossi and Bada are waiting for us!”

“I know, I know,” Fatou replied. “I’ve just got to put my shoes on first.”

“But why? It’s not far away.”

“Funny, you were the one worried about me washing the mango before I peeled it. Keeping our feet protected is important, too,” Fatou snapped, as she tied her shoe.

“Hey, you’re right. Got a pair of shoes I could borrow? After all, we can’t play much if we get sick!”

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Lesson 4

OBJECT LESSON: Ask the children to stand up if they ever go outside. Ask them to remain standing if they do chores, take care of or ever touch animals outside or walk to school or to a friend’s home. Now ask them to look down and ask, “What are two things that are always touching the ground?” Have all the children answer aloud in unison: “Feet.”

While holding up the shoe ask, “I wonder what could protect our feet from bad things on the ground?” Again, have the children answer aloud in unison: “Shoes.” Explain that the best possible way to protect ourselves from worms that can penetrate our skin is by wearing shoes.

With the Poster…

Ask the students to look at the inside front cover of their books and point to the worm on the poster. Explain that even though it looks like an earthworm, it’s a different kind of worm: it’s an intestinal worm. And—just like the worm eggs—it’s too small to see.

Next, point to the bare foot. Explain that sometimes we may be in a hurry like Yassi was in the story. We might think it’s no big deal if we just run outside. But without shoes to protect our feet, intestinal worms can enter our bodies through the skin on the bottom of our feet. And because we can’t see these worms, we never know when we might step on them. So it’s important to protect ourselves by wearing shoes whenever we go outside.

While still holding up the poster for the children to look at, explain that when someone has intestinal worms, the worm eggs come out in his or her poop.

If the person poops on the ground, the worms end up on the ground too. The tiny worms can be anywhere on the ground, but especially near the latrine.

That is why it is especially important to wear shoes when near a latrine.

Bible Connection: Caring for Others Ask the students to turn to page 18 in their books. Have them follow along as you read.

Tell students the tiny, bad worms live in the dirt. We can get bad worms if we walk outside without shoes on.

It’s important that we take care of ourselves. If we wear shoes and wash our hands before we eat, we can protect ourselves from bad worms.

But it’s also important that we take care of other people, too. Jesus told a story about a man who got hurt and needed someone to help him.

A Jewish man was traveling on a trip, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes and money, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road. A Jewish priest came along; but when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed by. A religious worker walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.

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Hygiene Matters Lower Primary: Teacher’s Guide Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he had compassion on him. Kneeling beside him, the Samaritan put medicine on his wounds and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his donkey and took him to an inn. The next day he handed the innkeeper two pieces of silver and told him to take care of the man.

‘If his bill runs higher than that,’ he said, ‘I’ll pay the difference the next time I am here.’

Jesus wants us to be like the good Samaritan. If someone has been hurt by mean people, we can help them. Do you know someone who needs help?

What can you do to help them?

LESSON REVIEW: Ask the children to sit in a big circle and show them the ball. Explain that you’ll be asking some important questions about the things they just learned, but that only the person holding the ball may speak. When a child knows the answer, ask that she raise her hand so you can toss the ball to her and listen for the answer. After sharing, the child then must toss the ball back to you to continue the game. Some questions (and possible answers) to ask include: • Besides our mouths, what’s another way worms can enter our bodies?

(ANSWER: Through our skin and/or the bottom of bare feet) • Why is it so important to wear shoes outside?

(ANSWER: Because you should treat all soil as if it were contaminated, you can’t see worms or their eggs, to be safe, etc.)

• Why is it important to wear shoes near the latrine?

(ANSWER: Because contaminated poop may be inside and, as a result, contaminated soil, too) • Who helped the Jewish man that was attacked?

(ANSWER: the Samaritan man) Next, explain that you’d like all the children to answer the next question because it’s so important. Ask all the children who will wear shoes when they’re outside or near a latrine to clap their hands together. Ask them to clap twice if they will take care of others like the Samaritan man did.

Activity: Read the activity instructions from the student book on page 21. Invite the students to do the activity for this lesson at home.

CLOSING: Lastly, ask the children to recall the story from earlier. What might have happened to Yassi and Fatou if they hadn’t put on their shoes, but instead walked bare foot through contaminated soil? Explain that while wearing shoes outside can’t protect us 100% from intestinal worms, doing so can certainly decrease our risk of contact with contaminated soil and lessen our risk of infection. Tell students that it’s important that we keep our body safe from bad worms. It’s also important that we help keep other people safe.

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Lesson 5

lesson 5 : Always Use the Latrine LEARNING OBJECTIVE(S): At the end of the lesson, the students should: • Know the relationship between human faeces and worm infection. o When someone has worms, the worm eggs come out through his/her faeces. o If someone with worms defecates out in nature (e.g. near bushes, in a garden, or field), the worm eggs get in the soil. o From the soil, the worm eggs can get into our bodies in 3 ways.

(Review the 3 ways from lessons 2-4.)

• Know that using a latrine helps protect everyone from worms.

• Know that some people did not like Jesus and had him killed.

• Know that Jesus died, was buried, and came back to life!

• Know that when Jesus died on the cross he paid the penalty for our sin.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR TEACHERS: How can we keep our surroundings free of worm eggs?

• By using a latrine instead of defecating in the environment (bushes, fields, gardens, streams, etc.). This is the best way to prevent worm infections because it traps the worm eggs inside the latrine, where they can’t make us sick. If everyone used a latrine instead of defecating outside, then very few people would get worms.

• By regularly cleaning the inside and outside of the latrine.

• By encouraging family and friends to use a latrine.

How common are intestinal worms?

Two billion people are infected with intestinal worms worldwide. Intestinal worms can be found in every country. In some countries, very few people have worms. However, intestinal worms can be a serious public health problem in countries with a tropical climate and poor sanitation.

Why do we need to tell students about Jesus’ death and resurrection?

Students need to know that our sin separated us from God. God had to punish sin by sending his Son Jesus to die on the cross. God did this to clean us from sin and accept us back.

SUPPLIES NEEDED: • Hygiene poster • A small container of soil (about a cup) • An empty box or container with a lid

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Hygiene Matters Lower Primary: Teacher’s Guide

LAST LESSON REVIEW: Share that during the last lesson, they learned about the importance of wearing shoes. Ask for a volunteer to explain why this is so important. Call on another volunteer to share with the class how wearing shoes can help keep them safe and healthy.

INTRODUCTION: Explain that during the last lesson, you also briefly mentioned how worms and worm eggs get in the soil. This happens when someone who already has intestinal worms poops on the ground. Share that today you’ll be learning more about why using the latrine is so important.

STORY TO SHARE: “I’ll be right back,” Bada called over his shoulder.

“Where are you going?” Kossi asked, grabbing the ball Bada had just kicked over to him.

“I’ve got to use the latrine,” Bada mumbled back.

“Good thing you’ve got your shoes on,” Kossi added, looking down at the ground.

“You never know when someone with worms might have used the latrine.”

“I’m just glad you’re not sick anymore,” said Bada. Besides, it was smart of you to use the latrine. That way the worms are stuck in there and can’t get anyone else sick by contaminating more soil.”

“You’re right,” Kossi said, smiling as he looked up at his friend. “And thanks.

Now, what are you waiting for? Don’t you have to go?”

OBJECT LESSON: Show the class the small container of soil. Ask if anyone remembers how soil like this can get worm eggs in it. (Answer: When someone with worms poops on the ground.) Next, ask them to imagine that the soil in this container is the same soil we walk on, play in and grow crops in. Ask the children, “Would you like there to be worm eggs on your playground? Or in your garden?”

Next, show the group the empty box or container.

Tell the students: Imagine this is a latrine, a place used only for pooping and peeing. Like the lid on this closed box, a latrine traps the poop inside. Poop often has worms or worm eggs in it, so they are trapped inside the latrine, too! This keeps the soil and everyone safe from infection.

Tell the students this: Further explain that Bada did the right thing. He used the latrine instead of pooping near a bush or in a garden or field. Share that it’s important to always use a latrine because you may be infected with worms and not know it. Remember, sometimes people with worms may not look sick at all.

But their poop—if infected—can infect others, too.

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Lastly, ask the children to point to the safest choice for pooping.

Lesson 5

(All children should be pointing to the box (or container), not the soil.)

With the Poster…

Ask the students to look at the inside front cover of their books and show the poster to the children. Ask the children to look at the left side of the poster.

Ask if anyone sees the worm eggs. Ask the children, “Where do worm eggs come from?” (Answer: Someone with worms pooped on the ground instead of using a latrine.)

Use the poster to also review the 3 ways worms can get inside our bodies: by eating contaminated food (or water), through our own dirty and contaminated hands and by walking on contaminated soil with our bare feet.

Stress that the worms and worm eggs are easy to see on the poster, but real intestinal worms and their eggs—the kind that can get into our bodies and make us sick—cannot be seen. And even worse, sometimes we may be infected and not even know it.

Bible Connection: Sin Can be Forgiven Ask the students to turn to page 22 in their books. Have them follow along as you read the story.

Just as some worm eggs can’t be seen, sinful people cannot see God’s goodness. Jesus’ goodness and kindness made some people mad. They did not like Jesus. They did not believe that Jesus was God’s son.

So they had Jesus arrested.

Jesus was whipped. The soldiers stripped him and put a robe on him.

They made a crown of sharp thorns and put it on his head. They mocked him yelling, “Hail! King of the Jews!” They spit on him and grabbed the stick and beat him on the head with it. Then they led him away to be killed on a cross. At noon, darkness fell across the whole land. Then Jesus died.

They buried Jesus.

A friend of Jesus took his body and placed it in his new tomb. A great stone was rolled to cover the entrance. Some women were sitting nearby watching. The tomb was sealed and guards stayed there to protect it.

Three days later, something amazing happened.

Some women went to Jesus’ tomb. They found that the stone had been rolled away. So they went in, but they didn’t find the body of Jesus.

They were very confused. Then two men appeared with bright clothes.

The women were scared and hid their faces. The men said, “Why are you looking for someone who is alive? Jesus has come back to life!” The women left and told everyone that Jesus was alive.

25

Hygiene Matters Lower Primary: Teacher’s Guide

LESSON REVIEW: Thank the children for listening so carefully to the story and to the lesson, and explain that it’s now their turn to talk. Explain that you’ll be starting a sentence out loud, but that you want them to finish out loud and in unison.

Sentences/Statements to use include: • When you need to poop, always use the ________________.

(ANSWER: latrine) • Always wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds after using the _____________. (ANSWER: latrine) • Wear shoes whenever you go in or near the ___________.

(ANSWER: latrine) • Jesus was killed on a ________. (ANSWER: cross) • A big ______ was rolled to cover Jesus’ tomb. (ANSWER: stone) • Three days later, Jesus came back to ______. (ANSWER: life)

Activity: Explain to the students that Jesus died to pay the price for all the wrong things we do. He did this so we can be forgiven and made clean. He was the only one who could do this for us. Jesus was stronger than death. He came back to life and restored our relationship with God. He asks us to turn away from sin and believe in him so that we can live forever with him.

If the students are ready invite them to pray this prayer with you: Dear Jesus, thank you for paying the price for my sin. I know I am a sinner, and I did nothing to deserve this gift. I want be close to you now and live with you in heaven forever. Please help me to know you more each day. I love you.

Amen.

CLOSING: Close by emphasizing that using the latrine is an important way they can help keep themselves and everyone else safe and healthy. The latrine helps reduce the spread of intestinal worms by keeping the worms and their eggs stuck inside where they can’t contaminate the soil we all walk on, play in and grow crops in.

Tell students when Jesus died he paid the penalty for our sins. When Jesus came back to life he showed us that we can live forever with him!

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Lesson 6

Lesson 6 : Review LEARNING OBJECTIVE(S): At the end of the lesson, the students should: • Know that worm infections can be treated at a health clinic or through a school deworming program.

• Know that after treatment they can get sick again from worms if they do not protect themselves.

• Express increased intent to: o Use latrines more frequently. o Always wear shoes. o Wash hands with soap and water after using latrine or before eating. o Only eat fruits and vegetables that have been washed in clean water.

• Know God forgives the sins of everyone who believes in Jesus.

• Know that when we believe in Jesus we turn away from our sin, and baptism shows this.

• Know that Jesus tells those who believe him to follow him, to trust him to take care of them, and to tell others about him.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR TEACHERS: What can children do if they have worms?

Children who have worms can be treated through a school deworming program, or they can visit a health clinic. One major benefit of school deworming programs is that treatment is available to all children in the school, including many children who have worms but do not know it.

What are the benefits of treating school children for worms?

Treating children for worms is one of the simplest ways to improve children’s health. Regular treatment also increases school enrolment and attendance.

After they are treated, many children show noticeable improvements in physical growth and memory.

Did you know that treating school children for worms also protects the whole community from worm infections? It’s true! School children often transmit their worm infections to other children and adults without knowing it. When children are cured of worms, their friends and neighbours are also less likely to get worms.

How can I tell if a child has worms?

It is very hard to tell if a child has worms. For that reason, in areas where worms are common, it is best for all children to be treated for worms once or twice every year.

Children with worms may not show any symptoms, or they may feel weak, have an upset stomach, or have diarrhoea. More serious infections can cause intestinal blockage and stunted growth in children. A hospital or clinic can test for the presence of worms in someone’s stool.

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Hygiene Matters Lower Primary: Teacher’s Guide Why are school deworming programs so popular?

Deworming programs are very popular with parents and communities because children who are treated for worms feel better in just a few days. Deworming programs also increase a community’s trust in its teachers and health personnel, who deliver the treatment.

How easy is it to treat children for worms?

Treatment is very easy! The medicine that will be used to treat children for worms is called Mebendazole or Albendazole. Children like it because it is chewable and fruit-flavoured. Only one tablet is needed to treat each child.

It can be crushed between two spoons and given with a glass of water for children who have difficulty swallowing a tablet. The medicine is so safe that non-medical staff, such as village health workers or teachers, can be trained to deliver it.

Are there any side effects?

The deworming drug does not cause any significant side effects. Minor side effects such as nausea and stomachache are rare and do not last long.

How often do children need to be treated for intestinal worms?

After children have been treated for worms, they can get worms again if they aren’t careful. For that reason, school-aged children should be treated for intestinal worms once or twice each year.

After children have been treated, how can we keep them from getting worms again?

First, teach your students about hygiene! Through hygiene education, children learn how to protect themselves from becoming infected with worms.

Simple improvements in sanitation at school and in your community can also greatly reduce the number of worm infections: • Build and use sanitary latrines to safely dispose of human faeces.

• Be sure that everyone has easy access to a sanitary latrine.

• Make soap and clean water widely available.

• Protect community water sources from contamination.

Sanitation improvements can reduce the chance of transmission, prevent reinfection and gradually reduce the number of worm infections in the whole community.

Why do we need to tell students about following Jesus?

Students need to know that believing in Jesus means changing (repenting) from our old way of life, accepting his forgiveness, and following him. Instead of having their lives ruined by sin, these young students can begin to live for Jesus. They can be free from the destructive power of sin. They can have the hope of living forever with Jesus in heaven. They can tell others the good news about what Jesus has done for them. This will motivate students to a life of Jesus’ physical and spiritual cleansing.about what Jesus has done for them. This will motivate students to a life of Jesus’ physical and spiritual cleansing.

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Lesson 5

SUPPLIES NEEDED: • Hygiene poster • A deworming pill called Mebendazole or Albendazole (if necessary, another pill may be used to stand for the deworming medication) • A small ball (or crumpled piece of paper)

LAST LESSON REVIEW: Remind the children that during the last lesson they learned about the importance of using the latrine and how doing so can help keep everyone— including themselves—safe from intestinal worms. Allow several children the opportunity to share something they remember from the last lesson.

INTRODUCTION: Explain to the group that sometimes, no matter what we do and how careful we are, we can still become infected with worms. Just like Yassi does in the story you’d like to share with them now. (Read the story below to the children.)

STORY TO SHARE: “Don’t you want to out and play?” Yassi’s mom asked.

“No,” she replied. “I’m tired.”

“Does your stomach hurt? You don’t seem to have a fever...”

“No, I just feel weak is all,” Yassi answered softly.

“Well, it’s a good thing you told me. We can visit the health clinic. That’s where Kossi went when he became ill,” her mother explained.

Page 30 “But I always wash my hands. And I always try to wear shoes in the latrine,” Yassi replied. She remembered that Kossi had been infected with worms and realized that she might be, too.

“Oh, I know, Dear,” her mother tried to soothe her. “But sometimes we get infected with worms no matter what we do or how we try to protect ourselves.

Don’t worry. There’s a simple and painless cure. Just one pill you chew and swallow.”

OBJECT LESSON: Hold up the pill for the children to see and explain that this little pill cures worm infections, and that all an infected person needs to do is chew it up and swallow it.

Now ask the children to imagine what could happen if Yassi didn’t continue trying to keep herself safe after treatment. Call on a few children to share their thoughts. If none of them bring up reinfection, share with the class that Yassi would just get infected with worms again. The treatment (or pill) only cures the current infection. It does not prevent future worm infections.

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Hygiene Matters Lower Primary: Teacher’s Guide

With the Poster…

Ask the students to look at the inside front cover of their books and show the poster to the children. Remind the children that they can be like the healthy child on the right side of the poster. He is doing several things to protect himself from worms. Further explain that while the treatment (or pill) may make them healthy again, it’s so important to keep up the steps (in the other portions of the poster) in order to best protect themselves from future infections. Point out that while the treatment is safe and easy, it’s best not to become infected in the first place. Share that they can help this happen by making the best possible choices to protect themselves and putting to good use everything they’ve learned in all of the past lessons.

Bible Connection: Follow Jesus Ask the students to turn to page 28 in their books. Have them follow along as you read the story.

After Jesus came back to life he told his friends to tell others about him.

Jesus’ friends were very happy to see him alive. Jesus told them to gather at the top of a mountain. Jesus met them there. When they saw him, they worshiped him. Jesus told them, “I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth. Go and tell people in all nations about me. Baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.” After saying this, he was taken up into a cloud while they were watching, and they could no longer see him. As they strained to see him rising into heaven, two white-robed men suddenly stood among them. “Why are you standing here staring into heaven? Jesus has been taken from you into heaven, but someday he will return from heaven in the same way you saw him go!”

Tell students that baptize means to wash in water.

When we are baptized it shows that God has washed the sin from our hearts.

God forgives the sins of everyone who believes in Jesus. God helps them learn to do what is right so they can stay clean from sin.

So what should students do about this? They should: Believe that Jesus died for their sins. Ask Jesus to forgive them. Trust Jesus to take care of them and guide them. Read the Bible every day. Talk to God every day. Go to church with their family. Tell their friends about Jesus.

Tell students that when we follow Jesus, we have life. And we have joy, knowing that we will live with Jesus forever in heaven.

When we have life, we grow.

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Lesson 6

LESSON REVIEW/PROGRAM REFLECTION: Ask the children to sit in a large circle. Show the children the ball and ask that they pretend that it’s a worm that’s out to infect them. Explain that you already have worms, and that you’re going to try to give them worms, too, by tossing the ball to them. Further explain that they can’t dodge or try to escape the ball because it won’t work (much like we can’t try to avoid worms and their eggs by just looking for them). Instead, the only “protection” they have from infection is to shout out one way to protect themselves once they catch the ball. If they can do so, they then get to toss the ball (or “worm”) back to you, and they remain “safe.” (Continue this process as time allows or until each child has an opportunity to share.) Answers may include: • Wash the fruit before eating.

• Drinking only clean, safe water.

• Washing hands before eating or preparing food.

• Washing hands after using the latrine.

• Always wearing shoes.

• Wearing shoes near (and inside) the latrine.

• Pooping only in latrines.

• Washing hands with soap and clean water.

• Rubbing hands together while washing.

Activity: Ask the students to look at page 31 of their books. Read the following instructions for the activity. Draw a heart with a pencil. Put tiny dots on it to represent sin. Then erase the dots. This is what happens when you ask Jesus to forgive your sins.

Ask them to share it with their mom and dad.

CLOSING: Tell students that everyone who believes in Jesus and trusts him to heal them from sin has been cleaned from sin. Jesus’ followers have repented from their old way of life and are now committed to follow him. Explain that baptism shows that you have been washed from your sin. Tell your students that Jesus told his followers to tell others what he has done for them.

Close by thanking the children for their attention and participation in all the lessons. Share that you hope they’ll use everything they’ve learned to help keep them safe and healthy.

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Hygiene Matters Lower Primary: Teacher’s Guide

Follow these steps to stop worms from making you sick.

Before

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After

1.

2.

3.

? !

4.

Bible Connection: Hope As we follow Jesus, God our Father takes care of us. We don’t have to worry about the future. We have hope. Jesus said: “Don’t worry about whether you have enough food, drink, and clothes. Look at the birds. They don’t need to plant or harvest because your heavenly Father feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than they are.

Your heavenly Father already knows all your needs, and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him.”

Intestinal worms are a major cause of illness among school children.

Hygiene Matters is a life skills curriculum specifically designed to teach children in Grades 1 through 3 about intestinal worms, how they infect the body, and how to prevent such infections from occurring.

For more of the story visit, www.moreofthestory.net