500 children, 250 litres of homemade liquid soap and probably quite a lot of freshly brushed teeth. 😄 On 11 August, our annual Health Day took place in Kenya, and of course Sarah was right in the middle of it all.

She has been organising and supporting the project with an incredible amount of heart since our very first Health Day in 2023. Once again, this year’s focus was on things that many of us consider such a normal part of everyday life that we barely think about them: a toothbrush, toothpaste and soap. For many of our children, however, access to these basic hygiene products is anything but guaranteed.

“It’s often the little moments that stay with you. When a child receives their toothbrush, looks at you and genuinely says thank you, you suddenly realise just how much something we take for granted can mean.”

– Sarah, Health Day Organiser 💛

Before the hygiene products were handed out, it was time for a little dental care crash course. Three volunteers from our partner organisation, Soweto Youth Initiative, showed the children how to brush their teeth properly. And this wasn’t just a sit back and watch kind of lesson. The children joined in, answered questions and showed what they already knew.

Some of them actually remembered quite a lot from our previous Health Days, which made us especially happy. Because in the end, we don’t just want to hand out products. We want to share knowledge that stays with the children long after the day itself.

Then it was time for the distribution. Each child received liquid soap, a toothbrush and toothpaste. The youngest children also received baby toothbrushes and baby care products. And because 500 children require quite a lot of soap, 250 litres of liquid soap were made from scratch, enough for every child to take around half a litre home.

Yes, 250 litres. Apparently, in addition to running a school and fundraising, we can now add soap production to our list of skills. 😄

There was one small change this year: the location. Instead of taking place directly in the informal settlement, our Health Day was held at the ULT Academy.

This meant we were able to reach slightly fewer children on the day than during previous Health Days. Any remaining products were therefore also distributed to children from the surrounding community. Some of the soap will stay at our school and continue to be used there.

Because whether a child attends our school or lives in the surrounding community, access to basic hygiene shouldn’t be a matter of luck.

When we think about healthcare, doctors, medication or medical examinations are probably some of the first things that come to mind. With our Health Day, we deliberately start much earlier.

With the basics.

Toothaches and damaged teeth are a real problem for many children. Necessary dental treatment can quickly become a financial burden that families simply cannot afford. And unfortunately, toothache doesn’t disappear just because it’s time for a maths lesson. It can affect concentration, eating and sleeping, and eventually a child’s everyday experience at school too.

Of course, a toothbrush cannot solve every health problem. But regular brushing can help prevent some of those problems from developing in the first place.

And soap is more than just soap. Being able to wash, brush your teeth in the morning and start the day feeling fresh is about health, but it is also about wellbeing, confidence and dignity.

It should be something completely ordinary.

Unfortunately, it isn’t everywhere.

When we ask Sarah what she remembers most from this year’s Health Day, it isn’t the 250 litres of soap or the number of toothbrushes handed out.

It’s the little moments in between.

A child walking past the tables, receiving their toothbrush, looking at Sarah and deliberately saying thank you. Another proudly showing that they still remember how to brush their teeth properly. And so many children carefully packing their new products to take home.

They may not sound like spectacular moments.

But every year, they remind us exactly why this day matters.

Because ideally, the children don’t just go home with toothpaste and soap. They take knowledge with them too. Knowledge about how they can look after their own health and why doing so matters.

Outside of Health Day, we also try to make health education part of the children’s everyday lives whenever possible. Volunteers from our partner organisation SYI, for example, occasionally spend time practising proper toothbrushing with the children.

At the moment, however, we are not yet able to provide hygiene products regularly to every child. That’s exactly why Health Day remains so important to us.

And it’s why we want to make sure it has a secure future.

Because if this day teaches us one thing every year, it’s that preventive healthcare shouldn’t begin only when a child is already in pain. It starts much earlier. Sometimes with knowledge, sometimes with a good habit and sometimes simply with a toothbrush and half a litre of homemade soap.

Small things.

That can make a very big difference. 💛