KENYA: Thousands of students gather in attempt to break a Guinness World Book Record

Record ID: 361898

  • Title: KENYA: Thousands of students gather in attempt to break a Guinness World Book Record
  • Date: 20th October 2010
  • Summary: NAIROBI, KENYA (OCTOBER 15, 2010) (REUTERS) GENERAL VIEW OF STUDENTS WASHING HANDS VARIOUS OF STUDENTS WASHING THEIR HANDS CLOSE-UP OF HANDS STUDENT'S FACE VARIOUS OF JUDGES BIRD'S VIEW OF CROWD (SOUNDBITE) (English) JOHN KIMANI, JUDGE SAYING: "The previous record was held by India at around 15,000 people. Today here at Thirimbe primary School grounds, we have coun
  • Embargoed: 4th November 2010 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Kenya
  • Country: Kenya
  • Topics: Lifestyle
  • Reuters ID: LVA6IT108WTZ9ZX57B9O5RT933FG
  • Story Text: Over 19,000 children from schools in the outskirts of Kenya's capital, Nairobi, took their shot at winning a spot in the Guinness World Book of Records for the most people washing hands at one place.
    A count of 19,352 students from over 102 schools gathered at Thirimbe Primary School, 15 kilometres from Nairobi in an exercise which was sponsored by the government and local companies.
    The current record for the most people washing their hands at same location is held by 15,115 children in India and was set on October 15, 2009.
    "The previous record was held by India at around 15,000 people. Today here at Thirimbe primary School grounds, we have counted 19, 352. We have a difference of about 4,000 participants. This proves beyond doubt that we have broken the record, we are only waiting confirmation from the office o Guinness Records," said John Kimani, an adjudicator at the event.
    The record breaking attempt was part of the Global Hand washing Day (GHD) celebrations observed throughout the world.
    Through this activity, the organisers expect to extend the hand washing message by educating thousands of children about the importance of cleaning their hands with soap, using the proper techniques to enable them stay healthy.
    "I think the most significant thing for us in breaking the record in this day is purely getting the message from high government officials on the commitment of water and sanitation in schools because we are now going to the millennium development target in 2015; so we need to start seeing commitment at high level, government, at the CDF (Community Development Fund) level which have co-financed the project to ensure that the government sees the urgency and seriousness of accelerating the targets," said David Kuria, one of the organizers The campaign was initiated in 2008 to reduce mortality rates related to diarrhoea diseases by introducing simple behavioural changes, such as hand washing with soap which, according to research, can reduce the rate by almost 50 per cent.
    "Actually I'm very thrilled, I'm happy to be in the Guinness book of World Records and I'm very happy. I do not have words to explain my happiness," said Samson Njoroge, a student from on of the schools The children's efforts will be verified by Guinness World Book Records officials before the end of the year.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: Footage contains identifiable children: users must ensure that they comply with local laws and regulations governing the publishing of this material.
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