Making Handwashing Easy and Fun

This makes handwashing challenging and contributes to the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera. USAID’s IHSD/Kore Sante Project, implemented in the southern region of Haiti by HEI, is striving to tackle this issue.

To address the problem, in 2023 our Kore Sante team began promoting the use of Tippy Taps: handwashing devices that are operated by foot pedal and can be constructed from readily available materials like poles, rope, and plastic jugs. By working together with community, school, and religious leaders, the Kore Sante project has already installed around 2,500 Tippy Taps across the South—including over 200 in the community of Passe Barbe alone.

Passe Barbe, located in the Grande Anse geographical department, does not have a water system and was hard hit by cholera. With project support, community health workers, local leaders, and other community members learned how to construct and use Tippy Taps and how handwashing can prevent the spread of disease. Now, the whole community of Passe Barbe has enthusiastically embraced this simple, hygienic device as a way to fight disease while conserving water.

Marie Micheline Nicolas, for example, constructed one at her home and reports, “One gallon of water is enough for the whole family for a full day.” Even better, she says, “My kids really enjoy the Tippy Taps, and they don’t wait for instructions to wash their hands they just wash them at any time.”

Since this work began, cholera cases have dropped significantly in the area around Passe Barbe. In fact, the nearby hospital in Dame Marie has seen very few patients suffering from any form of acute diarrhea.

Kore Sante will continue expanding this initiative to reduce the burden of disease for the population we serve. Empowering communities to construct Tippy Taps, combined with health education, is a winning strategy.