It's Hair Washing Day, Cambodian Style!

Hair Washing Day!

Health and hygiene is a big problem here at Kais Kids Orphanage.  Due to the dry, dusty atmosphere in dry season and wet muddy conditions in monsoon season it's inevitable that you'll get really dirty throughout the day and the incredible heat and humidity means lots of lovely sweating which makes you really grimy! (Sounds nice eh!?)

We know to shower, wash and keep clean in order to stay healthy, but I was surprised at just how little attention is paid to hygiene here at the orphanage.  Most of the time the children are left to their own devices and it's only when volunteers are present that a structure is brought to their day and things like teeth brushing are implemented.  Every evening we supervise the girls in the girls' house brushing their teeth and the boys have been given toothbrushes too.  The on site nurse who lives in the girls house is there in the morning when the girls shower, but it's a case of splashing some water and no soap or shampoo.  The male manager who lives in the boys house does the same there too. 

With lack of hygiene; and so many children together; it's inevitable that a lot of them especially girls with their long hair have nits! Another problem is parasites and many of the kids have swollen bellies due to this; in the medical hut there is worming tablets which can solve this problem, but a lack of knowledge means they don't seem to be used regularly or often enough.  

There is also a doctor who visits the orphanage once a week; but with many of the children at the orphanage having severe disabilities and illnesses, basic things like nits and worming seem to be forgotten. 

As part of our 'biology - health & hygiene' day on Tuesdays we decided to start getting rid of the girls' nits by washing with medicated shampoo and combing out their hair.  Admittedly, it may seem a menial task that I didn't think I'd signed up for and perhaps the on site nurse should be doing, but being here and living with the girls compels you to take care of them and teach them how to do it themselves and hopefully set a standard for looking after themselves when we're gone.  In short, the education, doesn't end at teaching English. 

The girls were all keen to have their hair washed and after we combed their hair we plaited it and gave them a new hair bobble to encourage tying their hair up.  The hair washing turned out to be lots of fun with plenty of splashing, even the boys were curious about what was going on and keen to help wash the girls hair much to their horror!

The After Shots! 

We have now washed and combed their hair twice and hope to keep it up until we can get rid of them altogether!