27 Mar 2020

Francistown Centre for the Deaf Education has joined the fight against COVID-19 by coming up with a foot-operated hand washing device called Tippy-Tap.

A teacher at the centre and task force member, Ms Tshoganetso Phetogo, said after the outbreak of the COVID-19, the Ministry of Basic Education instructed all schools to come up with initiatives and measures to prevent the spread of the pandemic.

Ms Phetogo said the Francistown centre formed a taskforce, which came up with the Tippy-Tap idea.

She said in the tippy-tap device, there was a foot pedal that manipulated the plastic bottle above, which then tips out water onto the user’s hands.

She said the positive aspect about the device was that it was affordable, easy to construct, used little water and also improved hygiene.

Another teacher and also task force member, Mr Cain Ramakgati said people were inspired to use the system because there was no touching and users only used their feet.

He implored the community to practice good hygiene, especially by frequently washing hands with clean water and soap and also to practice COVID-19 precautionary measures put in place by government.

The task force installed four systems in the school to avoid crowding and also to observe social distancing.

They further highlighted that they would continue with their initiative even after COVID-19, as a way of enhancing hygiene.

Meanwhile, Mr Ramakgati pleaded with parents to isolate their children and encourage them to stay home and study. ENDS