Restore Dignity for 1,000 Girls in Ugandan schools

                              Progress Report on Enhancing Sanitation Infrastructure in Primary Schools

Introduction

Access to safe and adequate sanitation remains a critical challenge for many schools in rural Uganda. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), inadequate sanitation disproportionately affects girls, leading to increased school absenteeism, lower academic performance, and long-term gender disparities. WHO highlights that girl-friendly latrines should ensure privacy, safety, menstrual hygiene management (MHM) facilities, and accessibility for students with disabilities.

In Uganda, the Ministry of Education and Sports reports that only 37% of primary schools have access to clean water, and 60% lack basic sanitation, with many schools in rural districts, where our projects are implemented, the pupil-to-latrine ratio remains alarmingly high, often exceeding 250:1. This directly impacts school attendance, health, and educational outcomes, particularly for girls. Hand washing facilities are equally a major challenge in schools leaving children going without washing their hands after latrine use, something that has led to increased poor hygiene related illnesses affecting children’s school attendance

To address this challenge, project aims to construct five girl-friendly, accessible latrines construct group handwashing stations and support the equipment of MHM rooms, ensuring a healthier and more inclusive learning environment for students.

Current Progress

Over the past three months, our team has made significant strides in enhancing sanitation and hygiene practices within schools. Our efforts have focused on raising awareness and implementing practical solutions to improve student well-being.

A key milestone has been the construction of a school-based group handwashing facility at Nabukenya Primary School, which is set to benefit over 320 pupils. This facility is designed to promote regular handwashing with soap, an essential practice for reducing illnesses linked to poor hygiene and for improving the overall health and school attendance of students.

In addition, we engaged 37 students in hands-on training to produce reusable sanitary towels. This initiative aims to provide a sustainable solution to menstrual hygiene management (MHM) challenges, helping reduce absenteeism related to menstruation and supporting girls to stay in school consistently.

We are optimistic that once the handwashing facility is completed, it will have a lasting impact on the school community, fostering a culture of hygiene and preventive health among the learners.

Our Funding Needs and Appeal

While we have made commendable progress, we still require $34,322 to fully implement the project. We kindly appeal to our donors and partners to continue supporting this vital initiative.

Your generous contributions will directly support the creation of safe, dignified, and inclusive sanitation facilities, ultimately benefiting 1,000 students. With your help, we can ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn in a healthy, supportive environment—free from the barriers caused by poor hygiene and inadequate facilities.

Thank you for your continued generosity and unwavering commitment to improving education and health outcomes in rural Uganda. We look forward to your ongoing partnership as we work together to make a lasting difference.