A Mercy Corps survey in 5 provinces of Indonesia found that only 30% of school-age children wash their hands before eating and after using toilets. Hand washing reduces the spread of water-bourne illnesses such as diarrhia, a major cause of malnutrition in children. Mercy Corps Sumatra Healthy Schools Program trained field officers to deliver a action-based program designed to help children remember to wash their hands and the importance of hand washing with soap to staying healthy.

• Tags: Indonesia, Children, Education, Health, Water/Sanitation