We've been gathering information about Mahhahha Primary School, next in line for rainwater harvesting and sanitation activities. Established in 2004 with the self-help efforts of the women and men farmers of Mahhahha, the school is located 31 km from Karatu town near the edge of the Rift Valley escarpment. The school has 472 students – 237 girls and 235 boys -- and 8 teachers -- 2 women and 6 men.
The school's nearest sources of water are a seasonal hand dug shallow well 3km away and a hand pump shallow well 5m away. Both are shared by people and animals. The only sanitation facility at the school is a 6-unit latrine that is shared by girls and boys. Attendance levels are low, with only 51% of girls and 49% of boys attending regularly. Teachers report frequent complaints of stomach ailments and headaches, and sometimes children even faint from dehydration.
The District Education Department has ordered all schools to establish tree nurseries and plant trees but this is difficult given the lack of water for human consumption and health and hygiene. Given the circumstances, landscaping is not a big priority. Nevertheless, over three years the school has managed to plant 500 trees during the rainy season, and 250 are surviving.
The school's nearest sources of water are a seasonal hand dug shallow well 3km away and a hand pump shallow well 5m away. Both are shared by people and animals. The only sanitation facility at the school is a 6-unit latrine that is shared by girls and boys. Attendance levels are low, with only 51% of girls and 49% of boys attending regularly. Teachers report frequent complaints of stomach ailments and headaches, and sometimes children even faint from dehydration.
The District Education Department has ordered all schools to establish tree nurseries and plant trees but this is difficult given the lack of water for human consumption and health and hygiene. Given the circumstances, landscaping is not a big priority. Nevertheless, over three years the school has managed to plant 500 trees during the rainy season, and 250 are surviving.
CPAR Tz will be constructing two 30,000 liter rainwater harvesting tanks and an 8-unit Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) latrine designated for girls. Other schools participating in this project have seen a marked improvement in children's health, attendance, performance and general state of mind once they have access to drinking water and water for handwashing. Privacy for girls is also an important issue that gets addressed once they have their own sanitation facilities.
