Colgate Palmolive in collaboration with a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Teethsavers, on Tuesday drilled pupils at Mkwichi Primary School in Lilongwe on oral hygiene.
Speaking with ProjectM, Colgate Palmolive General Manager in South Central Africa Balunji Nkhwazi said they are obliged to boost the education sector by protecting learners’ health.
“Studies have shown that globally, untreated tooth decay among schoolchildren affects their education because children fear to speak up and when the mouth is in good condition the speaker is confident,” she said.
Apart from encouraging the students about oral hygiene, Nkhwazi also urged learners to have a career choice in order to fulfil their dreams.
Teethsavers International Country Manager Fred Sambani said they partnered Colgate because they have similar agenda.
“We have partnered Colgate through its Bright Smiles, Bright Futures Schools Programme because we want to raise awareness to children in primary schools across the country on the importance of oral health education,” he said.
He further added that it has worked with Colgate Palmolive since 2010, and that they look forward to the opportunity to continue the partnership.
So far they have reached out to over 1 million children in teaching on oral hygiene and handwashing.
Mkwichi Primary School head teacher Esnath Kauma Moya applauded organisations for the gesture, saying good oral health practices are paramount to the children.
Apart from training learners in oral hygiene, the organizations distributed tooth brushes and tooth paste to each pupil.
