CHOLERA Five Basic Prevention Steps

Background

Cabeca de vehlo is a school with 4 541 students of which 2 298 are girls, 2 306 boys and 60 teachers using only  4 sanitary blocks with 4 latrines each, and 2 latrines for the teachers in precarious conditions  It is in Chimoio Mozambique . The septic tanks for the school were full and some students end up practicing open defecation. The school gets water from open wells surrounding the school and a community borehole which is more than a mile away from the school.  This situation  became a health hazard for the students and community surrounding the school.

Previous toilets and water sources 

Watsan Mozambique in Partnership with Village Water intervened in Cabeca de Vehlo situation and managed to construct modern water flush toilets as well as water system with 10000 liter water tank ,solar system and handwashing facility for the school.

New hand wash sinks and toilets after the intervention by Watsan and Village Water

The students ,teachers, community ,government  and local stakeholders were very grateful for the efforts and work being done  for schools in Manica Province and wish this support is also given to many other schools around Manica province and Mozambique as a whole

My name is Sophia, I am 15 years old. I am in the 7^th grade at 25 de Setembro primary school. I prefer to study during my spare time because I want to be a better person when I grow up. I stay with my mother and sister, my mother is a farmer .My dream is to become a nurse and work in a big hospital.

I have been part of the pad production and MHM training for the past four days. I learned a lot some of the thing that I learned are

• Being smart when you are menstruating because poor menstrual hygiene causes health issues like infections.
• Menstrual cycle takes 28days
• Towel , pads and all intimate clothes should be extended in the sunlight

I liked the idea of making reusable pads, they are way better than the capulana (towels) that I normally use. They are comfortable and they are economic. I want to thank WATSAN for helping us and teaching us. Not forgetting the toilets and the water system that the organization donated to us. I have physical disability so using the Chipotti toilets was not even an option for me. Now I freely use the toilets because they are disability friendly. When I mess myself I just clean myself in the bathroom.

25 de Setembro students posing for photos on their newly constructed water points and sanitation facilities

Watsan Mozambique is a major local organization specializing in the provision of water and sanitation (WASH) services in the Central region of Mozambique. Established in 2018, our dedicated and experienced team comes from international development, public health, financial management, and technical backgrounds.

Since 2018 Watsan has been at the forefront of WASH programs in Manica Province, supporting district efforts to make a difference. We have improved access to safe for water for approximately 400,000 people in villages and schools. The Mozambique Humanitarian Response Plan for 2021 cited water and sanitation facilities as inadequate and already over-stretched and is prioritizing the establishment of water points in the country.