The 'Janitress Cleaning Programme' will be implemented in 160 no-fee Government schools and 40 Early Childhood Development (ECD) centers, across all 9 provinces, to address critical challenges in school sanitation, says the partnership.

The Programme is launched on United Nations World Water Day, which is observed annually on Suday, 22 March. It aims to celebrates water and raises awareness of the 2.1-billion people, living without access to safe water. It also aims to promote taking action to tackle the global water crisis and as a reminder to all, on how humans can achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6 — water and sanitation for all by 2030, adds the partnersip.

Water and sanitation conditions, in many schools, continue to face significant challenges due to underfunded resources, poor maintenance systems, limited hygiene practices, old infrastructure and governance constraints. The Janitress Cleaning Programme aims to specifically address the challenges of operations and maintenance, limited hygiene and behavior change, by professionalising school toilet cleaning.

The goal of the Programme is to strengthen the capacity of janitresses to become skilled workers, by professionalising school toilet cleaning through improved operations and maintenance systems, capacity building training, and effective hygiene practices, says the partnership.

Through structured training, behavior change support and guaranteed tools and supplies, the programme aims to improve sanitation and hygiene outcomes, while reducing water and sanitation related diseases.

"Our Janitresses are the unsung heroines of school sanitation. Their daily dedication keeps facilities clean, protects children's health and ensures learners can stay in school and focus on their education," says Shelley Humphreys, CEO of SOS NPO.

The Programme aims to champion and empower these women, by equipping them with more than tools — dignity, safety and opportunity. Through the delivery of comprehensive cleaning kits, uniforms, protective gear and specialised training, alongside school awareness initiatives, the Programme aims to drive lasting change, adds the partnership.

The partnership says that it's not just improving hygiene standards — it's about cultivating a sustainable culture of cleanliness that extends well beyond infrastructure and into the heart of the communities.

Under the banner, "Portraitures of Dignity", the programme aims to honour Janitresse's through visual storytelling — capturing their contribution alongside learners in clean, safe school facilities. This initiative aims to reinforce a simple belief: cleanliness is dignity, and dignity changes lives, says the partnership.

As per the progress on "Household Drinking Water and Sanitation 2000 to 2024", launched by WHO and UNICEF, more than 2-billion people globally still lack access to safe sanitation, while 785-million people do not have clean water close to home. Without clean water, safe toilets and proper hygiene, children fall sick, miss school and communities struggle to thrive, adds the partnership.

Through SOS' Germbusters education programme, the Janitress initiative will also aim to empower learners with lifelong sanitation habits, through play-based hygiene education — building behavioural change for future generations.

The partnership says that this new programme aims to builds on years of impact. 

Since 2018, Baby Soft and partners have constructed 212 school toilets across 15 schools in Limpopo, reaching over 8 000 learners and providing clean water to 7 communities. In 2024, the 'Together' campaign expanded efforts, to prevent toilet loss in 300 schools, reaching over 101 000 lives.

These achievements aim to lay the foundation for today's next step: ensuring that facilities are not only built, but protected, maintained and sustained, says the partnership.

"We lose new toilets every three to five years due to poor maintenance of these facilities. It is therefore important that we equip the cleaners and schools with the necessary training, skills and supplies needed to keep the sanitation facilities clean and safe for learners to use," says Siyolise Shinga, Brand Manager of Baby Soft.

With messages such as, "Heroines Championing Cleanliness", "Daily Dignity" and "Cleanliness is Happiness", the movement calls on communities, partners and society at large to unite behind a shared mission — because safe sanitation is not a privilege, but a basic human right, adds the partnership.

BabySoft and SOS NPO invite all stakeholders to join this growing movement — supporting dignity, health and opportunity for every child and Janitress.

For more information, visit www.sosnpo.org. You can also follow SOS NPO on Facebook, X, or on Instagram.

*Image courtesy of contributor