INTERACTIVE WASH INITIATIVE FOR SUSTAINED HYGIENE
THE CHALLENGE
Access matters. Sustained use matters too.
Handwashing with soap can help prevent diarrheal and respiratory infections, which remain major causes of illness and death among children worldwide. However, achieving sustained adoption remains a challenge in handwashing interventions.
ACCESS:
A handwashing station can remove a physical barrier to hygiene - but availability is only the first step.
ENGAGEMENT:
For children especially, a station that feels inviting, recognizable, and fun can make handwashing something they want to interact with.
ROUTINE:
The goal isn’t a single handwash. It’s helping repeated use become part of an everyday routine.
MEET THE IWISH STATION
A station built to do more than dispense water.
Made primarily from recycled and repurposed materials, every IWISH station is designed and customized by the children who use it, giving them the freedom to make it uniquely their own. However, each station shares the same core components designed to support safe and effective handwashing.
LOAD — Water is added through the top compartment, where a built-in cloth filter catches larger debris.
CONTROL —An adjustable cap in the second compartment allows the water flow rate to be controlled.
WASH & DRY — Each arm keeps handwashing essentials within reach, with bar soap on one side and a reusable cloth towel on the other.
Designed for the moment a habit takes hold.
CHARACTER-BASED DESIGN
A playful, recognizable character transforms the station from a piece of infrastructure into something children can connect with.
THE IKEA EFFECT
Children participate in assembling and customizing their station. Behavioral research suggests we tend to value things more when we help create them.
THE ENDOWMENT EFFECT
Rather than being instructed to use a communal station, children can develop a sense of personal ownership over something they get to keep.
SELF-DETERMINATION
Choice and participation turn children from passive recipients into active participants, supporting autonomy and engagement in the handwashing process.
How IWISH works
01 - Learn Together
IWISH will meet individually with participating families to discuss the importance of hand hygiene, understand their routines and needs, and introduce the station to parents and children together.
02 - Build & Make it Yours
Children will take an active role in assembling and decorating their station alongside IWISH volunteers. Together, we'll practice proper handwashing and make sure each child feels comfortable using it.
03 - Check Back In
IWISH will reconnect with families over time to understand how the station fits into everyday life, identify challenges, and explore what could work better.
04 - Measure & Improve
Following up will help us evaluate how stations are used over time. We hope that what we learn will help guide both improvements to our station and also larger WASH initiatives accross the world!
WHERE WE’RE GOING
The next phase is learning in the real world.
IWISH is seeking opportunities to implement, refine, and measure the model alongside thoughtful partners.
Let’s build healthier habits together.
We welcome conversations with WASH and global-health researchers, NGOs, schools, community organizations, advisors, and collaborators interested in pilot testing, implementation, or learning alongside us.
Email: teamiwishproject@gmail.com
Phone: (+1) 443-761-8972