School Health and Hygiene for Mayan Children

We have been forming some exciting new partnerships since our last check-in. Our Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) project has been collaborating with Colgate to equip our beneficiary schools with healthy dental hygiene knowledge and supplies. This initiative is part of Colgate’s innovative campaign “Brilliant Smiles, Brilliant Futures.”

On August 16-17, school directors, teachers, and parents from all of Pueblo a Pueblo’s beneficiary schools gathered at Tzanjuyu and La Cumbre schools to attend a series of workshops led by Colgate Program Ambassadors Carlos Soberanis and Nery Castillo. Important themes were covered, such as the relationship between healthy habits, self-esteem, and academic productivity.

Colgate Ambassador Carlos Soberanis asked, "What happens when children brush their teeth? They are nourishing their self-esteem, sense of security, and confidence. And self-esteem is vital. It can affect whether a student becomes a lawyer, an architect, or a bilingual translator...”

The Colgate Ambassadors also reviewed tips and tricks for children to use when brushing their teeth, and they gave parents toothpaste, a toothbrush, and fun informational games for students to play at home. In total, 3,945 of Pueblo a Pueblo’s beneficiary students received Colgate supplies!

In addition to trainings, we officially completed and inaugurated new WASH facilities at San Juan Mirador School. We also celebrated the installment of a new rainwater collection system at Totolya School, so that students and teachers always have a secure supply of water. With WASH facilities and access to clean water, in addition to dental hygiene trainings, students are equipped with more tools to fight away the germs and develop good self-esteem!