Residents of Gakenke District in the Northern Province of Rwanda have been encouraged to exercise high levels of hygiene in their homes and on their bodies as one way of preventing diseases.

The call was made during the week dedicated towards cleanliness in the district under the theme: “Cleanliness is the source of life.”

The Vice Mayor for Social Affairs Zephyrin Ntakirutimana said that the level of cleanliness in the district is still wanting.

« There is little sanitation in homes especially in bedrooms, in toilets and trading centres. Most commercial houses in centers dont have toilets, » said Ntakirutimana.

She urged people in attendance to improve hygiene on their bodies by bathing and washing their clothes.

She asked men to reduce the money spent on alcohol and divert it into nuying sanitation materials required in their everday lives like soap and others.

Research has proved that 80% of diseases affecting people are caused by poor hygiene. It is on this basis that people were urged to always wash their hands before and after eating, being carefull with the cleanliness of their meals and mothers remembering to wash their hands before breastfeeding.

Clementine Mujawimana a resident who attended this function said : « Am going to improve on hygiene at home and even teach my neighbours to also be clean and also wear shoes. »

The sanitation week was launched by collecting  litters, cutting bushes and sweeping around Gakenke trading centre.