LpWSC Commemorates Global Handwashing Day by Raising Awareness Through School WASH Clubs

Luapula Water Supply and Sanitation Company Limited (LpWSC) joined the global community in commemorating Global Handwashing Day on Thursday, 15 October 2026, at Fordina Pandeli Secondary School in Mansa. Held under the theme “Be a Handwashing Hero!”, the event brought together the Deputy Permanent Secretary, representing the Permanent Secretary of Luapula Province as Guest of Honour, the Mayor, the Town Clerk representative, provincial officers, cooperating partners, teachers and pupils, including WASH Club members from participating schools.

The commemoration highlighted the importance of handwashing with soap in protecting health and preventing the spread of disease. Pupils took part through performances and WASH Club demonstrations, including a demonstration of proper handwashing by Mansa Municipal Council.

The Managing Director for Luapula Water Supply and Sanitation Company Limited Mr. Mukela Simbuwa through the Acting Managing Director Ms. Misulo Singogo said the Company’s school WASH Clubs give learners an opportunity to build knowledge and encourage good hygiene practices among their peers.

“We currently have six active WASH Clubs at Fordina Pandeli, Chitamba, Chakopo, Kombaniya, Our Lady of Mercy and Mutende, and we intend to establish clubs in every school we can reach,” she said.

Ms. Singogo said the clubs help learners put their knowledge into practice through demonstrations, campaigns and discussions, and share what they learn with their families and communities.

The Guest of Honour, Deputy Permanent Secretary Mr. Evans Sikabbubba, said improving water, sanitation and hygiene in schools requires coordinated action and sustained attention to the needs of public institutions.

“Our success should be reflected in the practical difference our collective efforts make to people’s lives, including the conditions in which learners study and schools operate,” he said.

He also emphasised the importance of ensuring that water and sanitation facilities are functional, maintained and accessible, and encouraged stakeholders to work together to address service gaps in schools and communities.

His worship the Mayor of Mansa Mathews Besa Kalumba highlighted the role of leadership and shared responsibility in creating healthy public environments.

“As a local authority, the Council has a role in bringing stakeholders together and supporting clean, healthy public environments,” the Mayor said.

Mr. Besa also noted that hand-washing awareness must be supported by access to water, soap and convenient, well-maintained facilities.

The programme included pupil performances, WASH Club demonstrations and a hand-washing demonstration by Mansa Municipal Council.

As part of the commemoration, Luapula Water Supply and Sanitation Company Limited donated hand-washing kits to the participating WASH Clubs. The kits were presented by the Guest of Honour, the Deputy Permanent Secretary, to support the clubs’ continued hygiene awareness activities in their schools.

The event concluded with a call for schools, communities, public institutions and partners to continue promoting good hygiene and supporting the facilities that make it possible.

LpWSC remains committed to promoting water, sanitation and hygiene awareness in schools and communities. Through initiatives such as its WASH Clubs, the Company will continue to encourage good hygiene practices and support learners to share these messages with their peers, families and communities.