Keeping things clean

Operation Deep Clean is a joint initiative between Steiner Hygiene and Kimberly Clark Professional that teaches kids the essentials of bathroom hygiene and encourages and incentivises schools to maintain clean, hygienic bathroom environments. Participating schools compete for bathroom makeovers and products from the sponsors.

Added impetus

Zinto was tasked with producing a show that added impetus to Operation Deep Clean's objectives of cleaning up the bathrooms and restoring a sense of pride among pupils. Using a cast of colourful characters, Zinto developed a fun, interactive production that raises awareness of the benefits of bathroom hygiene, as well as effects behavioural changes among the audience.

Michelle Combrinck, founder and CEO of Zinto, said industrial theatre was a vital component in communicating and entrenching the messages of Operation Deep Clean.

“The children really relate to the characters and are able to translate what they see on stage and in the classroom into their own lives. Dirty toilets and bathrooms aren't the easiest subject matter, but by using industrial theatre, we've been able to tackle these serious issues in an engaging, fun and accessible way,” she said.

“Basic human right”

“Access to clean and hygienic bathrooms is a basic human right,” said Paul Dunn, MD of Steiner Hygiene “Operation Deep Clean aims to reach thousands of children across Gauteng and empower them to create and maintain school bathrooms that they are proud of.”

Operation Deep Clean started in 2006 and involved 10 Gauteng schools. It was such a success that the number of schools participating this year has been increased to 60, with plans afoot to expand the programme even further in the future.