Dance is not only a means of celebration but can also be used for learning, communicating, and mobilising. It is an effective tool to create and share messages in a developmental context. Dance is an integral part of culture and society and has the power to transform, connect, and bring people together. Additionally, it may not receive the same resistance or scrutiny as other means of communication because of its unassuming and fun-oriented nature.
Dancing can be a fun way to learn about water quality safety, proper toilet usage, and good handwashing techniques.
The campaign effectively reached around 1.2 million young people across six countries for six months through dance, music, art, and social media. The campaign partnered with artists and musicians to create engaging content, using the slogan "WASH IT, SHAKE IT, MAKE IT AND BREAK IT".
Wash it: Wash your hands with soap and water.
Shake it: Shake off bad habits.
Break it: Break the spread of infection.
Make it: Make the world a healthier, better place.
In addition to the social media campaign under the Waterproof project, there were also in-person events held at various schools and community centres across the six participating countries. Visual wall art and a short comic film featuring the WASHeroes were among the creative endeavours that supported the online and in-person activities under the project.
The NRW Media Award for Development Policy Engagement's third prize was awarded to the Waterproof-Dance4WASH Campaign in 2023. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) provided financial support for the campaign. (https://nrw-medienpreis.de/)
Belinda Abraham
Viva con Agua • Germany
