YATE pupils were treated to an unusual hands-on lesson about hygiene by decorating a giant toilet in their playground.


Children from Tyndale Primary School were visited by charity WaterAid, on Thursday, January 15, to learn about hygiene in a unique and creative way.


Year one pupils decorated the giant toilet in colourful handprints alongside handprints from other school pupils across the country, to demonstrate how easily germs are spread and highlight the importance of good hygiene practices.


Steve Webb MP for Thornbury and Yate and Yate councillor Ian Blair also visited the school, on Tyndale Avenue, to observe the event.


Mr Webb said: “I very much enjoyed my visit to the school. The children enjoyed learning more about the need for clean water and sanitation and had lots of ideas about why it is important to keep your hands clean.  


"We were amazed to see a giant toilet in the school hall, and I think it is a day that we will all remember for a long time."


The session was held to educate the pupils about how washing your hands with soap can save lives and is one of the most cost-effective ways to prevent the spread of disease.


Headmaster Karl Hemmings said: "It was a fun way of teaching the children about hygiene whilst educating them about the serious impact the lack of hand washing facilities can have in developing countries."


Tyndale pupil Kye, 6, said: "I learned that some people have to walk really far to get water so WaterAid helps them get clean water.

"I liked getting all mucky when we painted the toilet. It's good we have clean water to wash our hands after so we can be healthy. "


Chris Wainwright from the international charity WaterAid said: “Our giant toilet is a fun way of showing that things as basic as soap and water are superheroes, saving children’s lives every day.


"For example, diarrhoea has killed 10 million children since the millennium, but the simple act of hand washing with soap can reduce the risk of diarrhoea by a third."


Fiona Callister from WaterAid said: "We were really impressed at the energy and enthusiasm of the children in decorating the giant toilet and washing their hands afterwards.

"They understood how not all children have access to clean water and how this affects their health, and they realised how lucky they are to have this basic necessity at the turn of the tap."


WaterAid works with the poorest and most marginalised communities in 26 countries around the developing world to set up practical and sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene projects.


To find out more or to make a donation visit www.wateraid.org.