Mshikamano Girls Toilet Block

We are so excited about the completion of the new girls toilet block at Mshikamano School!

Why was this project necessary?

Before the building of the new toilets began, the hygiene facilities available to the female pupils at Mshikamano Primary School were very poor. Between 316 students, there were only 10 dilapidated pit latrine toilets, which were also shared with the boys. None of these toilets were lockable, and most of them lacked doors. Additionally, the unstable pit latrine design was unhygienic: attracting flies and risking student’s health.

When carrying out our focus groups at Mshikamano, the girls expressed their dislike for the toilets, especially when menstruating. Unfortunately, menstruation remains a taboo in Tanzania, just as it is across much of the world. This means that many of the girls will feel uncomfortable talking about their periods with parents, friends and teachers. It’s easy to understand, therefore, why the girls were in need of a private space in which to deal with their periods each month. The poor design of the pit latrine toilets at Mshikamano School meant that girls were not able to manage their periods privately, or hygienically. As a result, many were spending up to 3-4 days off school every month, either by their own choice or upon the advice of teachers. By not attending school, the girls potentially risk falling behind in their studies and failing their Standard 7 exams, which cannot be retaken. Even missing a single day of school is detrimental to a student’s education, so you can only imagine the impact of missing almost a week every month!

What facilities have we built?

The new girls toilet block at Mshikamano, including hand-washing station and water tank.

We have built a set of new toilet blocks with a pour flush septic tank design. This means there is a water barrier between students and sewage. Unlike standard pit latrine designs toilets at Mshikamano, the pour flush toilets and cubicles will be cleaner, smell less and be much less attractive to flies. Less germs and infection will be present providing a high-quality sanitary facility for girls.

Supply of menstrual products for girls to use at school

Whilst the toilets are slightly more expensive than a pit latrine, they are much more sustainable because they take up to 5 years to be full and can be emptied, giving them a longer life span.

These toilets have been installed alongside a Menstrual Hygiene Management room, which includes: a water system, closets with mirrors, bins, soaps, emergency pads, toilet paper and window cover.

What difference will they make?

Globally, gender inequality remains a huge issue. Girls education is key if we want to achieve economic, political and socio-emotional gender equality, as it results in girls’ empowerment and influence. This is an even larger problem in Tanzania, where the expected years of schooling for girls is just 8.3 years compared with boys which is 9.3 years. The 168 girls at Mshikamano Primary will now be able to remain in school throughout the month, helping to bridge this gap.

The new toilets will also encourage hygiene and safe practice. In Tanzania, according to figures taken in 2011, between 11- 25% of the population still practice open defecation, this figure tends to be at the higher end of the scale in rural populations. This is especially unsafe for girls and women who are particularly vulnerable, disempowered and at risk of infection and disease. With cleaner, safer facilities in which to manage their periods, alongside menstrual hygiene management training and education, the 168 girls at Mshikamano Primary will now be much less susceptible to a risk of infection and disease.

Thank you to everyone who has supported Made With Hope, in particular One Kind Act, and helped us to build these toilets, which will make a difference to the education of all of the girls at Mshikamano Primary School. Going forward, we will be monitoring the impact of the new toilet block, so hopefully, in several months’ time, we will be able to share more good news.

Written by Erin Sharrocks