Project
St. Pius Primary School
St. Pius Primary School in Zomba District, Malawi, was established by the Catholic Mission in the village in 1935. The school has an extremely large campus including 7 classroom blocks, 15 classrooms and 30 teachers for a massive enrollment of 2,500 students. As the 15 classrooms are not sufficient for the school attendance size, 6 classes are held outside under nearby trees. Students walk to school from as far as 3km distance.
The only water source is a community hand pump a long distance from the school. Collecting water takes extended class time for the selected students and it is difficult for younger students to collect and carry water from far away, so the burden falls on the oldest students.
UPDATE: We are happy to report that the borehole was recently successfully drilled and is in operation. The water quality and pump tests satisfied all standards, and the community has reported positive results.
UPDATE: We are happy to report that the borehole was recently successfully drilled and is in operation. The water quality and pump tests satisfied all standards, and the community has reported positive results.
Additionally, very poor sanitation facilities challenge the student’s hygiene and privacy resulting in sickness, lost school time, and early dropout rates among the girls reaching puberty. The boys toilets were installed in 2001, and are in very poor condition, with no doors, and are extremely unsanitary. They are impossible to empty and should be decommissioned.
The girls have (5) decent toilets built in 2018 by Save the Children. These facilities are in good condition and can be emptied, but more are needed to service the large enrollment of girls at this school. The girls also have two other very poorly built latrines with no doors for privacy. Our implementing partner, Freshwater Project International (FPI), recommends decommissioning these two facilities because they are in such poor condition. The staff toilets are in extremely bad condition, with no doors, narrow spaces, and are very dirty.
Our implementing partner, (FPI), drilled a new deep borehole water well and installed a hand pump with a drainage apron on campus. They will now transition into the implementation phase of the water distribution system.
They also plan to provide 4 blocks of 4 stance VIP latrines for both girls and boys with locking doors. All of the sanitation facilities will have hand washing stations adjacent, and more hand washing stations will be located close to the classrooms. Students will also receive hygiene and hand-washing training. Additionally, students will receive a supply of Procter & Gamble Purifier of Water packets to educate them on the importance of clean water and hygiene and to purify water in their homes.
They also plan to provide 4 blocks of 4 stance VIP latrines for both girls and boys with locking doors. All of the sanitation facilities will have hand washing stations adjacent, and more hand washing stations will be located close to the classrooms. Students will also receive hygiene and hand-washing training. Additionally, students will receive a supply of Procter & Gamble Purifier of Water packets to educate them on the importance of clean water and hygiene and to purify water in their homes.
H2O for Life is not a WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) project implementer. We have partnerships with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) implementing WASH in Schools projects around the world. Our NGO partners match funds needed for each school project. We also have a generous donor that provides us with an interest-free loan that, along with matching funds, allows for many projects to be started or possibly even completed before total funds have been raised. In rare situations we reserve the right to reallocate funds to alternate project(s).
Questions? Ask us at 651-756-7577 or info@h2oforlifeschools.org.
