The winners of the competition organized by the Autonomous Sanitation Promotion Unit (CPAA) of the National Sanitation Office of Senegal (ONAS) have been announced. They are Souleymane Diop (Seydi Anta Gadiaga Primary School in Keur Massar), Seydou Fall (Médiana Gana Sarr Primary School in Keur Massar, tied for second place), and Arona Aroy Amouzouvi (Cité Gendarmerie Primary School in Keur Massar).

Regarding the secondary middle level, the selected candidates are; the first is Khadidiatou Thiaw from the Cem of Mbao, the second is Mariama Ba from the Cem of the Keur Massar Relocation Zone and Serigne Fallou Ngom from the Cem El Hadj Ogo Diop of Guédiawaye who came in third position.

For high schools, Aïssatou Diakité came in first, followed by Ibrahima Khalil Mboup from the Keur Massar Relocation Zone High School. The third prize went to Kiné Guèye from the Islamic Bank High School in Guédiawaye. All the winners were congratulated by the Director General of ONAS, Séni Diene, who encouraged the prize-winning students to spread the word about preserving sanitation infrastructure. "We hope this award will be the starting point for your civic engagement in preserving sanitation infrastructure. Be our ambassadors in your schools, with your families, and everywhere else," said the Director General of the National Sanitation Office of Senegal (ONAS), Séni Diene, who was accompanied by, among others, the Secretary General of ONAS, Mr. Mbaye Dione.

The reasons for targeting schools

ONAS is convinced that adopting good practices requires raising awareness among students, the young people who will be the next generation. Furthermore, schools remain a space for socialization. "By targeting schools, ONAS sows the seeds for lasting behavioral change. The school environment remains a prime space for socialization. Beyond the transmission of knowledge, school helps children internalize the rules of living in society. These are all reasons why ONAS makes schools its ally in the fight against the persistence of bad behavior," declared ONAS Director General Séni Diene. Speaking next, consultant Alassane Seck of Africa Sanitation, who thanked ONAS and its Director General, as well as CPAA through Ms. Mame Penda Thiam and the school administrators, noted that the students from Keur Massar stood out. “We noticed that we had many winners from Keur Massar, where there is a significant lack of sanitation infrastructure,” commented Alassane Seck. Speaking on behalf of the schools, the Principal of the Mbao Middle School, Obey Diallo, suggested that the initiative be continued. The winners received tablets (primary schools), computers and textbooks (middle and high schools), and trophies.