Child Hygiene and Sanitation Training

Child Hygiene and Sanitation Training (CHAST)



Executive Summary
Children’s Hygiene and Sanitation Training (CHAST) is an approach for promoting personal hygiene among children. CHAST is based on the well-established Participatory Hygiene And Sanitation Transformation approach and uses a range of exercises and educational games to teach children aged between five and twelve about the links between personal hygiene and health. The approach is based upon the premise that hygiene practices are largely acquired during childhood and therefore it is much easier to change children’s habits than those of adults.
What Is Child and Sanitation Training (CHAST)

Children playing cards within the CHAST approach. Source: IRC (2006)
CHAST is an approach for promoting good hygiene among children and was developed in rural areas of Somalia. It is based upon the PHAST approach. PHAST (Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation) is a participatory learning methodology that supports communities in improving hygiene behaviours, reduce diarrhoeal disease and encourage effective community management of water and sanitation services. CHAST applies a variety of exercises and educational games to educate children about the direct links between personal hygiene and good health.
CHAST is based on the premise that personal hygiene practices are usually acquired during childhood and therefore better to try changing the habits of children than those of adults. The PHAST approach was initially designed for adults and it has been carefully revised and adapted to suit the needs of young children. The CHAST approach takes advantage of the natural attributes that children have less knowledge and experience, fewer responsibilities and a different conception of time and the future and are also naturally inquisitive and eager to learn. CHAST encourages children to actively participate in open discussions and to share their experiences and ideas with their peers. In the CHAST exercises and games, children are encouraged to work independently in pairs or in small groups, and then to present their thoughts and findings to the larger group. CHAST tools are meant to be fun — involving games, exercises and role-plays that prompt the children to discuss and genuinely understand the key issues related to personal cleanliness and hygiene.