Nothing beats the Christmas holidays more than the gift of giving, and for the Rotaract Club of Cebu Fuente–University of San Carlos (RACCF-USC), this meant giving young girls from the Little Servants of Christ the King Orphanage the opportunity to learn about proper hygiene etiquette. On December 27, 2025, Rotaractors gathered for Project Joyfully Uplifting Awareness, Nurturing Action (JUANA) to teach handwashing, face washing, and the DOs and DON’Ts of proper hygiene.
Rooted in Rotary International’s Areas of Focus on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene, as well as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 3 and 6—Good Health and Well-being and Clean Water and Sanitation, respectively—the project aimed to spread care, confidence, self-expression, and joy among young girls by promoting healthy hygiene practices that uplift and improve daily life.
The program began with Rotaractor volunteers dancing to “Girl in the Mirror” to energize the girls. This was followed by the distribution of personal hygiene kits for each child, which quickly sparked conversations between the Rotaractors and the kids about the purpose of each hygiene item. Shortly after, a brief discussion on the DOs and DON’Ts of hygiene was conducted, highlighting the importance of bathing and its proper steps.
The learning then shifted to hands-on demonstrations of proper handwashing and facial washing, giving the girls the opportunity to learn about the “20-second handwashing rule” and the correct way to wash their faces. This was followed by a heartfelt bracelet-making activity, during which the girls either kept their bracelets or gifted them to the Rotaractors they had bonded with. The program concluded with a surprise performance by the girls themselves, who delivered a joyful rendition of “Golden,” for which the Rotaractors were deeply grateful.
In the end, Project JUANA not only sparked joy among the children but also among the Rotaractors, serving as a meaningful way to close the year. In a world where various viruses and diseases exist, it is our responsibility to remain vigilant and educate everyone—especially the youth—about proper hygiene practices, as these simple actions can save lives.
