GrowthAid, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) has handed an eight seater ultra-modern and a three hand-washing facility to the St Peters Catholic Basic School in the Yilo krobo municipality in the eastern region.
Mr. Samuel Odjidja, headmaster of St. Peters Catholic Basic School is optimistic the facilities will go a long way to improve health and sanitation of staff and students.
“You will be surprised to note that this complex school could not boost of even one seater KVIP toilet. Pupils are compelled to cross this highway (pointing to the road in front of the school) to attend to natures call and you can just imagine what would happen to them”.
Mr. Odjidja continued that “some children were knocked down by cars some time ago. Some of the young once also soil themselves when running to the refuse dump to ease themselves”.
“They also struggle with the pigs and poisonous reptiles on the refuse dump”. Mr. Odjidja
He added that “we were promised in 2017 by our MCE that he would put up toilet facility for us but all proved futile. But GrowthAid came to our aid with 8 seater ultra-modern toilet facility with a changing room and hand washing bay connected by a mechanized well.”
The Executive director of GrowthAid, Dr. Joe Lambongang said beyond health and sanitation, the facilities will also improve the learning and teaching environment for students and teachers.
“The changing room for girls and female teachers will ensure that they do not miss school during their time of the month, which will improve attendance rates and support the education of girls”. He said
Dr. Lambongang added that the facilities will also support the broader community. The long distance that women and girls previously had to walk to fetch water for their homes, will be greatly reduced, allowing more time for lessons, leisure, and economic activities.
Secretary to the Australia’s High Commissioner to Ghana, Hannah Crothers said hand-washing facilities are particularly important at the moment because of the covid-19 pandemic, and that these facilities will help improve hand washing practices and minimize the spread of covid-19.
“Access to water, sanitation and hygiene facilities will improve health and sanitation outcomes, gender equality and access to education”. She added
The project is expected to improve health and sanitation outcomes for the staff and the over 1000 students at St Peters by providing safe drinking water, eight toilets, three hand-washing facilities, a changing room for girls and women teachers as well as training for a school health club that will provide health education throughout the year.
GrowthAid is a Non-governmental Organization (NGO) that provides poor communities with safe water, improved sanitation and hygiene.
