|
Project Title:
Improving School Water, Hygiene and Sanitation (WASH) and Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) for 10 schools in slum areas of Lubaga in Kampala city.
Problem Statement
A number of baseline studies have been conducted describing the sanitation conditions of Kampala and it is basing on these that the RC of Kampala Nsambya derived this proposal. The sewerage system in Kampala only covers part of its central business district and it currently serves less than 8% of Kampala's total population. The rapid growth and informal status of the densely populated slum areas of Lubaga Division, have resulted in low levels of sanitation services. In most of Lubaga Division's slum settlements, access to water and sanitation services possesses a toll order challenge for the urban poor. Sanitation coverage is still poor among most slum dwellers, 40% still unable to use safe latrines . In addition, the average number of households using a toilet stance is seven (7) i.e. 42 people per toilet stance and the households having access to ideal toilet facility are at 6.2% by 2009 . School sanitation coverage is as low as 32% with the pupil to stance ratio estimated at 200:1 instead of the desired national average of 40:1. Hand washing is estimated at only 12% which is far below the desired national average of 22% .
Apart from lack of recognition, these communities also tend to be ignored by municipal authorities that find themselves overwhelmed by the informal settlements' sheer numbers, and whose needs far outstrip the capacity of the local planners and government. Considering Lubaga Division's location in Kampala, majority of the poor settlements are not connected to the sewer network. As a result, the bulk of the people rely on poorly managed on-site sanitation as their main solutions. This has contributed to high incidences of water and sanitation related diseases, such as cholera and diarrhea.
School Sanitation
Narrowing to the school sanitation problem further demonstrates that girls are worst affected. Findings from a case study that involved 300 primary school girls around Kampala showed that 94% of the girls faced serious problems at school during menstruation. For instance, three out of five girls (61%) reported staying away from school. Majority of the girls reported lack of poor WASH facilities such as inadequate water for washing, lack of soap, lack of washrooms and sanitary material, lack of sufficient privacy and non-functioning or insufficient toilets. To improve the situation, 94% of the girls interviewed mentioned that they needed to be taught facts about menstruation, but also educate the boys. Four out of five girls said that more facilities are needed for girls and that the facilities should be kept clean (IRC, 2006). Besides, "The current policy on gender in the education sector is not strong enough to address the needs of girls when they are in school," as disclosed by SNV-The Netherlands based organization, published in the New Vision newspaper dated August 7, 2014. Many girls mention problems they face using toilets without privacy from peers and to dispose the used sanitary towels. Right from the home cultural background, the boys look at menstruation as taboo and therefore often tease the girls.
The other problems of school sanitation include the lack of appropriate drainage of grey water from the school kitchens. The schools are also challenged by lack of appropriate fuel options for cooking children's meals besides use of firewood which is not only difficult to get, but also environmentally destructive.
Development Goal
To contribute to improved study environment through innovations in WASH and menstrual hygiene management of at least 10,000 pupils in 10 schools in 3 slums of Lubaga Division by end of 2017.
Project Objectives
1.Increased awareness and access to WASH facilities for 10,000 pupils in 10 schools in slum areas of Lubaga division through establishment of innovative WASH facilities by 2017.
2.Increased capacity of 10,000 school children, 200 teachers and local leaders to manage and sustain WASH facilities in the 10 selected schools by 2017.
3.Innovative Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) attained in the 10 targeted schools by 2017.
Project beneficiaries:
The project will directly benefit 10,000 pupils in 10 schools, 200 teachers and area local leaders in 3 slum areas of Lubaga division. The project seeks to improve School sanitation through sensitization on WASH and Menstrual hygiene Management, gender promotion, role plays and drama competitions, exchange visits and support the schools with sanitation equipment and materials for making reusable sanitary towels, construction of gender friendly power flush toilets, rid school environment of grey water and promote wood saving technologies, establishment of management structures e.g. training of school health clubs and school management committees SMTs in O&M of established structures, documentation and sharing of best practices in a School Wash Manual amongst others.
| 
