World Connect

Health, Hygiene and Sanitation

Year: 2019

Country: Malawi

Project Status: Funded

Impact Sector: Health

Project Investment: $3,425.60

Project Launch: 8-9-19

Girls Network Malawi will construct a girls washroom with three toilets and a washing area at Chisawani Primary School. The project will also conduct a health, hygiene and sanitation awareness campaign with 200 girls and five mother's group members. The participants will be trained in menstrual and sanitation management and maintenance of the washrooms. The project will benefit the 864 students currently enrolled at the school and will continue to support students and their learning for years to come.

Project Update: 11-26-19

Girls Network Malawi (GNM) has completed construction of the three door washroom designed to support disposal of waste for girls during their menstrual period in addition to working as toilets. The washrooms have also been fixed with hand washing facilities. 864 girls are currently using the washrooms which show the demand is still high.While not completely eliminating the challenge at the school, the project has drastically contributed to increased levels of sanitation, increased attendance rate by 80%, and improved academic performance, especially among girls. As the washrooms are operational, GNM has embarked on the Health, Hygiene, and Sanitation campaign to ensure the girls know how to take care of the facility, themselves, and the environment.

Final Report: 2-28-20

With a World Connect grant of $3,425, Girls Network Malawi has completed the construction of the washroom with three pit-latrines, two sinks, two tap-buckets and a washing line at Chisawani Primary School. 522 girls and five members of the mother’s group were trained in personal hygiene and taking care of the washroom environment, 265% more than the 200 people they planned to reach. Already the school has seen improvements in daily school attendance among the 864 girl students, which is expected to impact their performance at the end of each term and year. Additionally, 855 boys from the school have benefitted indirectly through the health, hygiene and sanitation awareness campaign which the school organized for the boys after the project to ensure there are joint efforts towards hygiene and sanitation at their school. The school as a whole benefitted indirectly from the construction of the washrooms as it has greatly improved the sanitation and environment. The project registered increased participation from community members including cash contribution which ensured quick completion and success.