Rehabilitation Project
This project is a part of our shared program with The Water Trust. Our team is pleased to directly share the below report (edited for clarity, as needed).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Bulima C.O.U. Primary School is a church founded and one of the oldest primary schools in Masindi. Its is known to have been the only primary school which existed in Bwijanga sub-county from the time Uganda got her independence (1962) and early eighties and it is located in Bulima town board, Bwijanga sub-county, Masindi district. This government-aided primary school has an enrollment of 822 pupils of which 399 are girls and 423 boys.
(Editor's Note: While this many people may have access on any given day, realistically a single water source can only support a population of 350-500 people. This community would be a good candidate for a second project in the future so adequate water is available. To learn more, click here.)
Despite the fact that it it has the highest enrollment, it is the most under served with a shortage of both latrines and access to clean and safe water. Due to the prevailing water crisis, children do not wash their hands after visiting the latrine or before touching food, which poses a big threat to their health. One time a pupil was hit by a speeding car as he crossed the road to collect water for drinking during break time. The introduction of Universal Primary Education (UPE), also known as free education for all, resulted in a rapid increase in the number of children in the primary schools from 5.3 million in 1997 to 7.3 million in 2002; a trend that has continued in subsequent years, straining hygiene and sanitation facilities in schools which already had low standards of sanitation and hygiene.
The Water Trust, in collaboration with Masindi District local government, is implementing a school sanitation and hygiene program through construction of ventilated improved lined latrines and provision of access to clean and safe water. The social team initiates and trains school health clubs for purpose of sustainability in its efforts to ensure quality education for boys and girls becomes a reality. This school has been selected among many that applied to us for support, and we are going to drill a borehole for them in an effort to improve their sanitation.
Sanitation facilities prevent the transmission of diseases as it prevents human faecal contamination of water and soil. The lack of proper sanitation facilities are the cause for a significant proportion of the world’s infectious disease burden. Moreover, waterborne illnesses predominantly affect the poor and the young. When basic water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions are applied, waterborne illnesses can be effectively reduced.
HYGIENE AND SANITATION STRATEGY
A Community Development Officer (CDO) is assigned in each village. The CDO encourages each household to put improved sanitation and hygiene practices into action. The main objectives of the Sanitation and Hygiene Program are the use of latrines and observing proper hygiene practices as these goals are inherently connected to the provision of clean water. Open defecation, water storage in unclean containers and the absence of hand washing at critical times are all possible contaminates to the water supply at the household level. Using the immediate gratification of clean water as an impetus, we work towards sustainable and interdisciplinary WASH development.
We leverage this relationship by requiring each participating village to achieve Open Defecation Free status (defined by one latrine per household), prior to the pump installation for a shallow hand dug well. The CDO encourages each family to create an ideal homestead which includes: a latrine with a hand-washing facility, a rubbish pit, a separate structure for animals, and a drying rack for dishes.
Community Led Total Sanitation
We implement the Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach with each of our village partners. The team facilitates a CLTS session in which we aim to improve the sanitation and hygiene practices and behaviors of a village. During these sessions, village leaders naturally emerge and push the community to realize that current practices of individual households – particularly open defecation– are not only unhealthy, but affect the entire village. CLTS facilitates a process in which community members realize the negative consequences of their current water, sanitation and hygiene behaviors and are inspired to take action. Group interactions are frequent motivators for individual households to: build latrines, use the latrines, and demand that other households do the same.
CONSTRUCTION TIMELINE
September 12, 2015
A contract to drill a borehole at this school was awarded to ICON projects, one of the drilling companies in Uganda and a hydro-logical survey has been conducted to site a suitable location for the school project.
September 21, 2015
The survey was successful and we expect drilling to commence soon.
September 28, 2015
Drilling was done and concluded today. We now wait for pump testing whose results will be communicated soon.
October 3, 2015
Today the pump was tested and all is well. The project has been handed over for commissioning but will remain under warranty by the contractor for a period of six months.
October 26, 2015
Water is now flowing and the school has been relieved water related problems. A fence is yet to be constructed to protect this source. We also commissioned the project.
