Clean water and proper sanitation are fundamental to a safe learning environment, and we are proud to announce the successful construction and opening of a WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) facility at Ashata School in Ghana.
Siva, Ghana Director, Dave, Chief Operations Officer, Kate, Business Operations Manager and Sarah, Travel Operations Manager, joined staff and students at Ashata School this month to open the new toilet block, which will help improve the health and hygiene standards for over 630 children.
The new block comprises 12 gendered and lockable latrines (six cubicles for boys and six for girls). In addition, handwashing stations have been installed with a 1000-litre water storage tank and a pumping system to ensure constant water supply.
The larger washroom has a shower which provides a private area for menstrual health management.
Before the project, Ashata had only five latrine toilets, two for boys, two for girls and one for the teachers. The toilet block had no roof or hygiene facilities, making it unusable; as a result, the school operated with no toilet facilities.
The Impact
The WASH Programme seeks to ensure equal opportunity for girls and boys to reach their full potential at school through the provision of better sanitation facilities and access to clean water, improving hygiene and students’ wellbeing.
“Our research shows that many young girls miss school during their menstrual period due to inadequate sanitary facilities and lack of access to menstrual products. This issue negatively impacts their education. African Adventures Foundation is committed to the promotion of education and student welfare, and want to address this challenge through this project,” Siva, Ghana Director.
Before the project started, only 8% of girls who attended Ashata felt comfortable attending school during menstruation. We will be surveying the girls again to see what impact the new facilities have had on their confidence and school attendance.
“It was a pleasure to be invited to join Ashata School and the local community at our newly opened WASH project. A true celebration recognising the importance of children not only having a safe education but a safe, clean, and modern facility to stay healthy in whilst at school. Whilst important for all children, it is a particularly crucial step in achieving better access and attendance for young girls and their education.
It is a perfect example of why we have and will continue to support our Partner Schools in Ghana. We are so proud to have been part of something so important and enjoy donors and supporters who agree. Our commitment to ongoing WASH projects remains strong for the good of children and their place as global citizens in our world.” Dave, Chief Operations Officer.
Siva Vordzorgbe, Ghana Director and Dave Tuck, Chief Operations Officer.
