Tippy Taps Sierra Leone
COMIN-SL
Making hand washing convenient, accessible (and fun!) for communities in Sierra Leone.
Tippy Taps Sierra Leone
COMIN-SL
Making hand washing convenient, accessible (and fun!) for communities in Sierra Leone.
Challenge
In 2014, Sierra Leone had the highest child mortality rate in the world, with diarrhea among the primary causes for death in children under five years old. Further exacerbated by the recent ebola outbreak, Sierra Leone’s health crisis persists due to a lack of basic infrastructure, especially in the areas of water and sanitation. By simply adopting good hand washing practices, however, it is possible to greatly reduce the number of illnesses and deaths caused by preventable diseases and infections.
Solution
In partnership with COMIN-SL, a Sierra Leonean nonprofit organization, TEL is launching community-based handwashing initiatives by introducing a simple and practical solution: the Tippy Tap. Built from a basic set of locally sourced components including sticks, string, soap and a water container, Tippy Taps are proven to encourage effective hand washing behavior, while also preserving scarce water resources.
Challenge
In 2014, Sierra Leone had the highest child mortality rate in the world, with diarrhea among the primary causes for death in children under five years old. Further exacerbated by the recent ebola outbreak, Sierra Leone’s health crisis persists due to a lack of basic infrastructure, especially in the areas of water and sanitation. By simply adopting good hand washing practices, however, it is possible to greatly reduce the number of illnesses and deaths caused by preventable diseases and infections.
Solution
In partnership with COMIN-SL, a Sierra Leonean nonprofit organization, TEL is launching community-based handwashing initiatives by introducing a simple and practical solution: the Tippy Tap. Built from a basic set of locally sourced components including sticks, string, soap and a water container, Tippy Taps are proven to encourage effective hand washing behavior, while also preserving scarce water resources.
Our Role
TEL worked with COMIN-SL to conduct community-based needs assessments, which led to the identification of the Tippy Tap as an appropriate and cost-effective solution. TEL also provided COMIN-SL with the necessary technical information for local implementation.
Results
COMIN-SL installed two Tippy Tap hand washing stations within a primary school and a community health center outside of Freetown. Maintained by these two institutions, the Tippy Taps continue to serve over 400 community members.
Project gallery
Click each image for more information.
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Largo-Kori, Sierra Leone
May 2015
A finished Tippy Tap at the UMC primary school.
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Largo-Kori, Sierra Leone
May 2015
COMIN-SL executive director handing over soap to the head teacher of UMC primary school.
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Largo-Kori, Sierra Leone
May 2015
Testing the Tippy Tap!
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Largo-Kori, Sierra Leone
May 2015
Thumbs up for the Tippy Tap!
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Largo-Kori, Sierra Leone
May 2015
A young girl learning how to use the Tippy Tap.
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Largo-Kori, Sierra Leone
May 2015
The project officer teaching the health center nurse, the head teacher and the village elders about the importance of using the Tippy Tap.
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Largo-Kori, Sierra Leone
May 2015
Staff clearing the site for the construction of the Tippy Tap.
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Largo-Kori, Sierra Leone
May 2015
The COMIN-SL project officer attaching the soap to the tippy tap rope.
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Largo-Kori, Sierra Leone
May 2015
The health center nurse using the Tippy Tap to wash her hands.
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Largo-Kori, Sierra Leone
May 2015
Staff constructing the Tippy Tap at the Lago Kori Health Center.
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Largo-Kori, Sierra Leone
May 2015
Staff constructing the Tippy Tap at the UMC primary school.