World Connect

Renovation of sanitation and privacy facilities

Year: 2019

Country: Malawi

Project Status: Funded

Impact Sector: Education

Project Investment: $740.49

Project Launch: 7-18-19

Chitedze Community Secondary School is a government-run school in Lilongwe, Malawi. Since it was established in 1997, the restrooms at the school have fallen into disrepair. With broken toilets and doors, the existing restrooms do not meet the needs of the students. Female students who do not have access to private restrooms often miss several days of school during their menstruation. With this World Connect grant, the school community plans to renovate all restrooms, adding in hand washing stations. They will also put in new classroom doors in order to increase the security of school resources.

Project Update: 10-14-19

With $740.49, Chitedze Community Day Secondary School has set up four student hand washing stations, reconstructed the front walls of two restrooms that collapsed, repaired and fixed two male restroom doors and five female restroom doors. Additionally, they have maintained two classroom doors to enhance security of school property. A total of 350 students are benefiting from the project so far. Girls' attendance is expected to increase with the completion of the restroom facilities as they will now have access to private and safe stalls at all times, including during their menstrual cycles. The school is also teaching all students sanitation and hygiene best practices to ensure proper use of the renovated sanitary facilities.

Final Report: 1-30-20

Through the Renovation of Sanitation and Privacy Facilities Project, Chitedze Community Day Secondary School has revamped sanitary facilities at the school as initially planned. They have reconstructed eight broken toilets, installed doors and rooftops for the restrooms, and fitted two classrooms with doors to enhance security. Additionally, the school installed four hand washing stations using plastic buckets. From these interventions, 315 people (300 students and 15 teachers) are enjoying increased privacy, safety, and security as they use the facilities which was not the case before. There has been enhanced sanitary and hygienic practices as students have been sensitized to use the facilities available to them with the aim of fighting the spread of diseases at the school. The committee believes that completion of this project will contribute to regular class attendance and improved performance for girls who previously had to miss school during their periods due to a lack of private restrooms.