Cicod in sanitation,hygiene drive
The Circle for Integrated Community Development (Cicod) has embarked on a water, sanitation and hygiene project in some of the congested primary schools of Lilongwe.
The integrated project is being implemented in Lilongwe’s low-income areas, where among other things, Cicod is constructing 60 ventilated improved pit latrines in 10 primary schools.
During the first year of the project, Cicod has constructed 10 latrines at Mlodza and four at Msambachikho primary schools.
“The primary schools are located within the peri-urban low-income areas of Lilongwe City. We are calling them toilet units because each structure has three toilets, including that for the disabled, hand-washing points and menstrual hygiene management points which can be emptied,” said Cicod’s programme officer Edward Thole.
Other primary schools to benefit from the programme are Mbwetu, Nguluwe, Kabwabwa, Mtsiriza, Msambeta, M’buka, Ngwenya and Chipala.
Deputy director for basic education Rodrick Nthengwe hailed Cicod for the project, saying it will reduce the numbers of students who share one toilet at a school.
“At Mlodza Primary School alone, there were 297 pupils sharing one toilet. With the coming of these toilets, the number has reduced to 119. But of course, the recommended ratio is 10 to 15 girls per toilet and 25 boys using one toilet. We still have a long way to go, but this is better,” explained Nthengwe.
The project is expected to end in December 2016.
