Nine-Year-Old Kenyan Boy Builds Hand Sanitizing Station To Help Fight COVID-19
Stephen Wamukota, a nine-year-old from Mukwa village in Western Kenya, is making headlines worldwide for his ingenious hand washing machine. The young boy came up with the idea after watching village residents, who do not have easy access to running water, struggle to find an effective way to wash their hands to avoid spreading and contracting COVID-19.
Using the few resources at his disposal — wood scraps, nails, and a bucket — Stephen designed and built a simple, but functional, cleansing station. The clever creation, which comprises two pedals — one to release soap and the other to release water — enables villagers to wash their hands contact-free, thereby reducing the likelihood of catching the dreaded infectious disease.
"I had bought some pieces of wood to make a window frame, but when I came back home after work one day, I found that Stephen had made the machine," his father, James, told the BBC. "The concept was his, and I helped tighten the machine. I'm very proud." James credits Stephen's building prowess to the village school's curriculum, which teaches children to assemble and construct items from a very young age.
The invention, which went viral after James posted a photo on Facebook, has made Stephen an instant celebrity in Kenya. In early June 2020, the country's leader, President Uhuru Kenyatta, bestowed the nine-year-old with the Uzalendo Award. The newly-created presidential honor is designed to acknowledge civilians who are making significant contributions towards the nation's fight against COVID-19.
Stephen has also been promised a full scholarship to a school that can nurture his creative talent, by Bungoma County Governor Wycliffe Wangamati. "We are waiting for school to open to contact him about his promise. He (the governor) told me that once school opens, he will give him a scholarship to a school that can match his talents," James told CNN.
Though thrilled at the unexpected fame and success, Stephen is not resting on his laurels. The young boy has already built another hand washing machine and plans on adding several more, so that the village, which has no reported cases of the infectious disease, can remain COVID-19 free!
Resources: goodnewsnetwork.org, BBC.com, Independent.co.UK,
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286 Comments
makenziefrFriday, May 7, 2021 at 10:16 amI like that he's helping the community when he's only 9 years old.
pickles85256897Friday, April 16, 2021 at 11:13 amyes i am a kid to i am only 11 that is cool how he can do that i can build a toy car
newtmazerunnerThursday, March 11, 2021 at 10:08 amSo nice. Love that he is helping out, even though he's only nine years old!
alphapotatoWednesday, March 10, 2021 at 10:01 amwow this is really great
dinobasketball7Friday, February 19, 2021 at 11:12 amYay! help stop the spread!
ravenclaw_houseThursday, February 18, 2021 at 11:08 amHe is only nine!!!!!- ravenclaw_houseThursday, February 18, 2021 at 11:07 amOMG!!!!! How did he do that???!my only question in how old is he??
goldengurl1206Friday, February 12, 2021 at 10:10 amAwesome!!! He did it the portable washing hand machine!!!! Keep going
llcrazylazyllMonday, February 8, 2021 at 10:34 ami did a lemand stand to donate to hostpitalls so they have better supplies- newtmazerunnerThursday, March 11, 2021 at 10:09 amThat is very thoughtful and kind of you! Keep up the good work!
kittylover111Friday, February 5, 2021 at 6:38 amNice job! Go!