Who are you trying to help? What issue are you trying to address?

Lack of basic infrastructure such as latrines and safe water supply is a key reason for village children and students to be absent from school and / or drop out from school eventually. Children in our village go to the fields for toileting, as toilets are not in usable condition in school. Water supply is not available in school, so teachers / children have to bring water from other sources.

What is your project and how will it help?

The project is to build community latrines for boys and girls at Matekela primary school with water supply, through placing tanks for water storage in the school. The project will also take up the maintenance of toilets by appointing a local woman for daily cleaning and upkeep. This ensures that the toilets are used and habituates the children to use a clean toilet. Drinking water purification system will be installed to ensure bacteria free water is available in school.

Providing hygiene and sanitation facilities in school will create an enabling school environment and children’s regularity to school will be improved, awareness of hygiene and sanitation will increase and children will have fewer illnesses due to water borne infections. In the long term the project is expected to reduce drop out rates especially among girls, in primary and secondary schools in Matekela and around villages. The project will benefit 13 secondary schools, 43 primary schools and Villages around Matekela.

How can other people partner with you on your project?

The community members and the organization have already dug a big pit and built the foundation. We need partners helping us to finish this project as we need support of cements, wire mash, iron sheet, nails, money for paying licensed contractors and any kind of a help.

Please detail the resources that you need.

We need US$ 9,000
This includes the toilet construction finishing, building 18 rooms for boys and girls, and water provision.