Kasengwa School
Dedication: Brian and Joelle Kelly Family Foundation
Completion Date: May 19, 2024
School: Kasengwa Primary School|
District: Mangochi
Country: Malawi
Struggles and Challenges
Before we met the people at Kasengwa School, they had only four pit latrines, shared by both boys and girls, without any doors for privacy. The dire sanitation conditions forced boys to use the bush, and girls to stay home during their menstrual periods, missing critical school days. The toilet-to-student ratio was alarming, with one toilet for every 100 girls and one for every 153 boys!
We first met the people of Kasengwa village in 2021 when we installed a water well there. The clean, accessible water significantly improved their quality of life. However, we soon realized that additional support was needed. Through providing access to clean water, we discovered a ripple effect: girls were now able to attend school, but they weren’t staying in school due to the lack of hygienic facilities.
When our Malawi WWFA Team arrived on site, they talked to some of the students to learn about the situation.
Chancy Malemia (10 years old): “I don’t use the toilet here. The toilets are so bad; people urinate everywhere and defecate everywhere. They are so bad; I can’t use them.”
Lydia Steven (18 years old): “During periods we stay home. How can you change and take care of yourself here? The environment is not so good with no MHM supplies.”
Gladys Lawrence (14 years old): “During periods, I don’t come to school. I would rather stay home. I stay home about four to five days. Unfortunately, my friends don’t allow me to copy the material they have covered in class while I was absent.”
The headteacher, Mr. Richard Mwamadi, reported that it was difficult to clean the toilets, which had mud floors and no cement. This posed a significant health hazard, predisposing the children to infections and creating an unbearable learning environment.
After the Blossom Project
Recognizing the urgent need for better hygiene and sanitation, Water Wells for Africa (WWFA), with funding from a generous donor, launched a Blossom Project at Kasengwa School in 2023. The project’s core objective was to improve Menstrual Hygiene Management (MHM) and overall Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) conditions.
Transformation and Impact
For Rhoda, a bright 17-year-old with dreams of becoming a teacher, the Blossom Project was a beacon of hope. “I see myself becoming a teacher one day,” she says with newfound confidence. Her friends, Gloria, Shyleen, and Tabitha, now regularly attend school with dreams of becoming a soldier, teacher, and engineer, respectively.
Improved Facilities
The Blossom Project included the construction of modern hygiene rooms for girls and additional toilets for boys and staff. This critical intervention addressed the sanitation crisis that threatened the school’s closure. The new facilities provided privacy, dignity, and a safe learning environment for all students.
Overcoming Challenges
The journey was not without obstacles. The devaluation of the local currency, community resource mobilization issues, and transportation challenges due to impassable roads during the rainy season delayed the project. However, WWFA’s resilience and strategic solutions, such as procuring cement-block-making machinery and a project vehicle, ensured the timely completion of the project.
Immediate Impact and Future Prospects
The Blossom Project’s impact was immediate and profound. By January 2024, school enrollment had increased by 7.3% within four months, with 380 students attending classes regularly. The community is overjoyed and grateful for the support that has transformed their school and their children’s future.
Enrollment Statistics (2020-2024):
- 2020: 268 students (127 boys, 141 girls) <– Before WWFA Water Well installation
- 2021: 333 students (150 boys, 183 girls)
- 2022: 352 students (152 boys, 200 girls)
- 2023: 291 students (140 boys, 151 girls) <– Before Blossom Project
- 2024: 380 students (192 boys, 188 girls) <– After Blossom Project
The increase in enrollment is largely attributed to the installation of a water well by WWFA in 2021 and the subsequent construction of MHM facilities and modern toilets.
You can be part of another life-changing Blossom Project by making a donation today! We’d love to build it with you!
