Raising hygiene awareness among orphans
MEDAN, Indonesia - A team
of Tzu Chi volunteers and medical personnel from Medan visited
Getsemane Kashi Orphanage in the area of Tanjung Mulia in
Medan. There were sixty orphans, from three to sixteen years
of age, staying in the orphanage.
Poor hygiene and malnutrition
Most of the kids had lice in their hair.
The volunteers had to eliminate the lice with medicine before
they could cut the children's hair. The volunteers also helped
the children bathe while advising them to brush their teeth
twice a day, to bathe and wash their hair daily.
The
medical team found many kids with skin disease, stomach problem,
flu and cough. Some orphans were treated for stomach ailments,
ear problem or nose disease. The medical staff concluded that
most of the diseases were due to lack of proper nutrition,
poor living conditions and bad hygiene.
Before
the volunteers left, the children bid good-bye by presenting
them a song accompanied by guitar. In anticipation of Tzu
Chi volunteers next visit, the children promised to maintain
proper hygiene and maintain the cleanliness of their living
area.
