Kianica, 11, dreams of becoming a teacher. At grade six, she says she finds joy in teaching young children like her about building good habits.
Her teacher and friends at Niogan Elementary School in Pililia, Rizal have described her as mature for her age. This encouragement, Kianica said, has helped her feel more confident about her dream.
For now, Kianica is taking on a teacher's role through her participation in Save the Children’s All Kids SHINE program as a lead Child Health Promoter (CHP).
As a CHP, Kianica said she takes pride in teaching other children how to properly wash their hands and brush their teeth. She shared that she enjoys seeing them learn. "Sometimes I see little children washing their hands. I feel proud knowing that what I have taught them is making sense," she said.
Before joining the program, Kianica admitted that she faced her own challenges in maintaining proper hygiene. She said she used to complain to her mother about the importance of toothbrushing, thinking that having a beautiful set of teeth was enough.
Over time, and with the knowledge she gained from the program’s learning sessions, she said she has come to understand the value of good oral hygiene.
“Before, when I cleaned myself at night, I used to brush my teeth quickly. But when I learned how many minutes it should take and the proper way to brush, I now spend more time brushing my teeth,” she said.
She expressed her excitement about helping other children establish healthy hygiene routines, hoping they, too, would share what they learn with their siblings and classmates.
"What I want to teach them are the things I also learned from you [Save the Children]. They can maintain those routines like washing their hands before and after eating, proper toothbrushing, and the Pinggang Pinoy (a guide to healthy and balanced meals)," said Kianica.
Oral health is just one of the many topics Kianica and 25 other health leaders have learned since All Kids SHINE continued the CHP programming at their school in 2024. They have also been oriented on children’s rights and school health and nutrition.
Recently, the CHPs developed an action plan to ensure no student is left behind in their mission in creating a healthier school community. And as expected from Kianica, her top priority is to establish peer-to-peer learning sessions to make sure all students are equipped with the knowledge and skills to take care of themselves and support one another.
“I am excited for the free time I’ll have at school so I can teach them."
By teaching small children essential hygiene practices, Kianica said she feels she is contributing to a brighter and healthier future for her school and community.
At grade six, Kianica still has a long way to go in becoming a teacher. Despite this, in her own way, she is proving that building good habits and sharing them with other children is as simple as dreaming.
Help children like Kianica turn their dreams into reality while building good hygiene habits that keep them healthy. Read her full story and donate today on our website at www.savethechildren.org.ph.