KACHAN PRIMARY SCHOOL

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

Kachan Primary School is a public school sponsored by the government. It is situated in Lower Nyakach Division with a population of 292 pupils.

The school had experienced problems like collapsing pit latrines, smelly pit latrines, rocky soil which made digging of pit latrines extremely difficult.

Through community mobilization and awareness creation, the community learnt more about ECOSAN UDDTs double chamber concept and accepted the technology. The school committee and the community developed interest and accepted the technology.

Before the actual implementation, training was conducted to both community, school committee, teachers and pupils at different levels. There was discussion with the beneficiaries on design and costing of the units which was 4 doors for girls and 2 doors for boys.

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.

Roles and responsibilities in ownership and stainability was discussed before the actual implementation.

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

The units were found to be clean and well maintained.

Current problems

l  Blockage of the urine pipe

Monitoring of the units becomes difficult because the pupils were eager to use them

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SIANY SECONDARY SCHOOL

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

This is a government sponsored school located in Nyabondo, Upper Nyakach Division. It is a mixed secondary school with girls and boys. Majority of the people here are Christians. They practice small scale farming, small businesses and brick making as economic activities.

The school is strategically located to serve the children from the community around. They have a  feeding programme serving all the learners with lunch and breakfast.

The school has a population of 262 students, 10 teachers and 5 other staff members.

The UDDTs constructed were 4 doors; 2 doors for girls, 1 for boys and 1 for teachers. They are all in use and well maintained. They like UDDTs concept even though they few.

Reasons why they constructed the UDDTs

l  Collapsing pit latrines every year

l  Waterlogging of pit latrines during rainy seasons

l  Smelly pit latrines

l  Recovery of the nutrients

l  Permanent construction

Maintenance / Service

l  The school has employed a groundsman who is doing the maintenance every day and repair whenever there is need.

l  Sanitary towels are being burnt after collection from the bin

l  End product is being used in planting of tree seedlings

l  Orientation is being done to new staff and students on the usage of the UDDTs

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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.

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