Write to the editor

The BSPCA will be holding a repeat of 2014’s very successful auction & brunch and the venue this year is the Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain. Remember to save the date of Saturday, October 17!

Doors open at 11.30am and the auction will start at 1.30pm. The event must finish by 3.30pm so we request everyone to arrive well in time.

Fantastic international brunch with live cooking stations, grape & hops and fabulous entertainment with an appearance by Anna Thompson-Hall plus the now famous ditties performed by our very own ‘Men from the BSPCA’. Keep the kids entertained with face painting and the Mövenpick balloon man.

We have lots and lots of fabulous items to bid for in our live and silent auction and, this year, we have a ‘Lucky Dip’ with brunches, meals and other exciting prizes to be won.

Entry is by ticket only at BD20 per person (including beverages). Kids are welcome. It’s BD10 for under-12s and free for youngsters under the age of six. Make sure you buy your tickets soon!

Tickets are available now at the Thrift Shop,the hotel and The British Club. For more information call 33121769. Come to the Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain for an afternoon of fun and laughter!

All proceeds go to our Cat House extension project.

Michelle Page,
Fundraising Co-ordinator / Event Organiser,
BSPCA.

I just want to say thank you for publishing my son Yameen’s work in the GulfWeekly. Yameen was ecstatic and over the moon. Because of his love of poetry he has created his own blog. If your readers get a chance please check out Keep poetry alive - Keeppoetry.blogspot.com. He is still writing poems and has written some short stories too.

Jenny Rahman, by email.

On behalf of City Centre Bahrain, thank you for last week’s great coverage of ‘Unbox their Imagination’ as part of the LEGO City event!

Rawia Beyhum, by email.

Children are inclined to fall sick more often than adults. This is mainly because they spend most of their time in close contact with other children at daycare or school where germs are easily transmitted. Unfortunately, most children are not as conscious of personal hygiene as they should be, increasing their risk of illness and the likelihood of passing this on to others.

Hygiene is important for anyone taking care of children, and is one of the most effective ways to prevent any form of illness. However, there’s more to hygiene than just hand-washing, though that’s a good start.

Schools can also provide an arena where good hygiene can be shown at its best, and certain behaviours such as hand-washing can become an ingrained habit at a young age. Setting up a routine of healthy hygiene when your kids are young can create habits that can last throughout their lives. It will also give them the freedom to play freely without the threat of infection.

Here are some tips on how children can maintain proper hygiene at school using simple and minimal steps:
Make hygiene fun and exciting
Kids are likely to adopt hygienic habits if they enjoy doing them. Through co-circular activities and inter-house competitions conducted in schools, the importance of hygiene can be conveyed in a fun and competitive manner.

Hand-washing is a must
Hand-washing is an integral aspect of good hygiene. To eliminate contracting germs after playing outside or when in close contact with animals or someone who might be ill, it is essential to teach your kids to wash their hands thoroughly. Remember to let students and/or classmates understand the importance of scrubbing their hands with antiseptic cleansers, especially after using the washroom.

Grooming their fingernails
Fingernails are a breeding ground for bacteria. The germs that live under a child’s nails are easily transferred to their eyes, nose and mouth. Ensure that students’ fingernails are clipped every week and reduce the possibility of painful ingrown nails.

Oral hygiene
Proper brushing and flossing is a learned skill that can only be improved by practice. This type of oral hygiene needs to be instilled in students at an early age.

Advise your children to brush their teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, to prevent gum diseases and tooth decay.

Handkerchief is their best friend
A handkerchief should be a child’s best friend. Children should be taught to cover their mouth and face, using either a handkerchief or a tissue, while coughing and/or sneezing. Used tissues should be properly disposed of and not left around.

Keeping toys in the playroom germ-free
A child’s favourite stuffed toy or blanket may carry germs and therefore should be regularly washed. Other toys could be wiped with a sanitiser and then allowed to air dry.

Cleaning of classroom furniture
Regular cleaning of classroom furniture will ensure a bug-free learning and teaching environment. Classrooms must be vacuumed and mopped every day.

Foot hygiene
Sweaty feet, also known as athlete’s foot, can cause fungal infection. Advice your students to use cotton-lined socks instead of ones that are made of synthetic fibres along with wearing leather and canvas shoes, allowing their feet to breathe.

Dealing with illness
Advise children to only attend school if they are well enough to benefit and participate. This will reduce any chance of illness spreading.

Stop bad habits
Remind students of the importance of practicing good hygiene. Explain that, although germs may not be visibly present, they are still found in air particles and can make them sick. Connect hygiene to illness by reminding them of the last time they were ill.

Dr Ashraf Allam, regional vice president, Mundipharma Middle East and Africa region.