KENDU MUSLIM SECONDARY SCHOOL

Posted by Carola Israel according to information provided by Wycliffe Osumba Ecosan Expert from Kenya (osumbawycliffe@yahoo.com) (10 February 2012)

Kendu Muslim Secondary School is a government sponsored school located in Kendu Bay Town near Lake Victoria. The soil is mainly black cotton soil making the area unsuitable for digging of pit latrines.

Most of the people living here are Muslims and Christians. Their income levels are low owing to the prevailing poor economic condition thus poverty levels are very high.

The school is strategically located to serve the children from the community who are both Muslims and Christians. Even though it is a day school, they have a lunch programme serving all the learners.

Before the introduction of the UDDTs, the students were served by 4 pit latrines (2 for boys and 2 for girls). The condition of the pit latrines was poor with very pungent smell. They were also flooded during the rainy season thus providing a breeding ground for mosquitoes transmitting malaria.

Problems they were facing before the UDDTs

l  Collapsing of the pit latrines during rainy seasons

l  Flooding of the pit latrines during rainy seasons

l  Foul smell emanating from the pit latrines

l  Breeding ground for mosquitoes and flies

l  Inadequate water supply for basic hygiene

All the above were causing the environment not to be healthy

Before the construction, there was discussion with the beneficiaries on design and costing of the units which was 2 doors for girls and 2 doors for boys. Thereafter, training was conducted for teachers, board members, community members and students. The training was on Ecological Sanitation Concepts with other options. This was done by the EPP site manager.

A memorandum of understanding was then signed and the school provided sand, ballast, murram, unskilled labour, water, round poles, shuttering timber and curing for their contribution as per the the memorandum of understanding. The EPP gave the rest of the materials plus skilled labour.

The school was also responsible for maintenance, repair, cleaning and the use of the end product in the school farm.

The School Management Committee chose the UDDT chambers because of its advantages and demanded it because of its ling term investment.

Post-construction training was conducted conducted to the students and teachers on the usage, maintenance and repair.

Problems realized during the visits

l  Few units to accommodate the school population

l  Disposal of the sanitary towels because there was no changing room and some myths behind it.

l  Hand washing facility was not installed near the units due to insecurity.

Solution

l  Update training was conducted to both students and teachers to fill the missing gaps.