KIGALI - The Rwanda Environment Care (REC) scooped the utilities award in Africa for its efforts to improve sanitation and hygiene. The award was issued out during the third Africa Sanitation and Hygiene Conference (AfricaSan 3).

REC is a local NGO that provides a variety of sanitary facilities across the country.

The award was handed to Bruce Ubukonda, the legal representative of the NGO at a dinner gala hosted by President Paul Kagame and the First Lady, Jeannette Kagame, on Wednesday night.

Announcing the Utilities Award, the head of Unilever, Dr. Myriam Sindibe said that REC was awarded for raising the bar on service delivery of sanitation services.

"The award is given to organisations with adaptable and affordable sanitation measures in place. REC is awarded for its vision and mission of raising proper sanitation to Rwandans,” said Dr. Sidibe.

Others awarded include the Mayor of Ouagadougou, who received the local government award for formulating and implementing clear policies on sanitation that have contributed to large-scale improvement in sanitation and hygiene.

Kenya won a handwashing award for the private public partnerships that saw the country win the Guinness World Record for the most number of people washing their hands at the same time at a single location on October 15, 2010.

Last year, Kenya's hand washing campaign won the Guinness World Record for the most people concurrently washing hands in one location during a fete involving 19,352 people.

The AfricaSan3, held in Kigali, attracted at least 30 ministers from various African countries and over 800 delegates.

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