Reducing Waterborne Diseases in 131 Kenyan Schools

1.10) Conduct End Year Impact Evaluation Workshop for Head Teachers (October 23rd) 

Day One-Head Teacher Training 

The primary objective of the October 2024 End Year Workshop was to assess the impact of the WASH intervention in primary schools across Mumias East Sub-County. This workshop provided an opportunity to measure progress against the baseline data from January 2024, focusing on reductions in student illness, improvements in menstrual hygiene, and overall health benefits resulting from enhanced WASH facilities. 

Training Overview-Head Teachers 

The workshop gathered headteachers from partner schools to discuss the findings of the End Year survey, which highlighted significant health improvements among students. This survey indicated a 45% reduction in water-related illnesses, a 41% reduction in menstrual hygiene issues, and a 38% reduction in skin and oral infections. Importantly, school attendance among menstruating girls increased, a sign that the improved WASH environment was providing a more supportive setting for girls. The session also encouraged headteachers to provide feedback, offering valuable insights into the challenges and successes observed in their schools. 

In attendance was Mr. Steve Ashton, a key advisor to WE REACH’s WASH initiatives, who used this opportunity to gain firsthand insights into the experiences of schools. Listening directly to the headteachers’ accounts allowed Mr. Ashton to better understand the progress and ongoing needs, reinforcing the importance of sustained support for these interventions. 

Feedback Summary from Headteachers 

The head teachers’ feedback underscored the positive impact of the WASH program on their schools and communities: 

• Musango Headteacher: "Health Club members are selling soap to the community as a result of the training given to them by WE REACH." 

• Khabondi Headteacher: "Initially, students carried water from home; now they have a sponsor, and the school has water. This has led to fewer cases of infections among students." 

• Isongo Headteacher: "Our school health club is active, with soap provided by the administration after WE REACH's training." 

• Khungoyokosi Headteacher: "There’s an irregular water supply; I propose we get tanks for water storage during the rainy season." 

Workshop Value and Insights 

This workshop was instrumental in fostering a shared understanding of the WASH program's impact. It offered headteachers practical guidance on sustaining hygiene practices, mobilizing community involvement, and enhancing health clubs’ efforts. The discussion was especially valuable for Mr. Ashton, who gained real-time feedback, which will inform future improvements and resource planning to ensure ongoing support and expanded WASH facilities. 

Training Overview-Teachers health Champions 

Teacher health champions from partner schools attended the training, where they shared updates, challenges, and achievements in the WASH program's implementation. Mr. Steve Ashton also attended, giving him an opportunity to meet these vital facilitators and listen to their experiences firsthand. During the session, Mr. Ashton expressed concern about the lower reduction in health issues this year compared to the previous year, noting that 2023 saw a 70% reduction in cases. Teachers pointed out that disruptions, such as floods and civil unrest, significantly shortened the school calendar, with second term losing five weeks, reducing it from 14 weeks to 9. This cutback hindered their ability to implement WASH practices right after training, resulting in a slower start and less time for consistent hygiene reinforcement before exams and early closures. 

Despite these challenges, the training allowed teachers to reflect on the impact they had managed to achieve and explore solutions for better implementation moving forward. 

Feedback Summary from Teacher Health Champions 

The teacher health champions shared feedback highlighting the impact of the program and the improvements they hope to see: 

• Eshiakhulo Teacher Health Champion: "The school has identified champions among the students to help distribute sanitary towels when students are too shy to ask the teachers." 

• Emukhalari Teacher Health Champion: "Before WE REACH training, the school didn’t prioritize handwashing. After the training, they took it seriously, and now we see the efforts of the health club reducing student illness from water-related illnesses." 

• Ikoli Teacher Health Champion: "Students want a sense of ownership—they’re asking for T-shirts for health club members so they can stand out from the rest." 

Workshop Value and Key Insights 

The workshop proved incredibly valuable, not just as a training session but as an exchange program. Teachers had the chance to learn, relearn, and unlearn certain practices while hearing from peers across schools. This shared learning environment allowed them to see how other schools were managing similar challenges and take away ideas to try in their own settings. The teacher health champions gained renewed motivation to push forward despite the year's setbacks and discussed practical ways to maintain program momentum, such as engaging students in leadership roles and advocating for additional resources. 

Mr. Ashton’s presence and the teachers' honest feedback will inform WE REACH’s approach in addressing logistical issues and ensuring sustainable WASH support for each school, aiming to further reduce health issues in the future 

LESSONS LEARNT: 

• Importance of Community Involvement and Student Ownership: Engaging students and community members strengthens the impact of WASH initiatives. Schools where health clubs actively involved students in hygiene practices, such as selling soap to the community, saw greater success. Supporting students with identifiable items, like T-shirts for health club members, could enhance engagement and pride in WASH activities. 

• Need for Flexibility in Program Implementation: Disruptions like floods and civil unrest impacted the school calendar, affecting the WASH program's rollout. Flexibility in implementation schedules and an ability to adapt based on local conditions are critical for program continuity and sustained health improvements. 

• Significance of Stable Water Supply: Consistent access to water is essential for effective WASH practices. Schools with irregular water supply suggested installing rainwater tanks to ensure availability during disruptions, highlighting the importance of reliable infrastructure.

RECOMMENDATION: 

• Improve Sanitary Pad Disposal Facilities: Install incinerators and exhaustible latrines to enable safe, hygienic disposal of sanitary pads in schools. 

• Expand MHM Training Scope: Increase training emphasis and create a separate MHM presentation, working closely with Ministries of Education and Health for support. 

• Include Sanitary Pad Use and Underwear in Training: Address knowledge gaps on pad use and provide solutions for underwear availability within MHM sessions. 

• Construct or Convert MHM Facilities: Build or convert existing latrines to meet MHM needs, ensuring students have access to appropriate hygiene spaces. 

• Standardize Pad Distribution Protocols: Develop clear protocols and address student fears around requesting pads, educating parents to prevent misuse. 

• Ensure Reliable Water Supply: Guide schools on safe water sources, encourage borehole maintenance, and introduce borehole specialists for upkeep.

 CONCLUSION 

In October 2024, WE REACH hosted a successful end-year review workshop for the WASH Program in primary schools across Mumias East Sub-County, facilitated by WASH consultant Steve Ashton. The workshop evaluated program achievements, identified challenges, and gathered valuable insights from school leadership and teacher health champions to enhance WASH practices and improve student health outcomes. Key accomplishments included notable reductions in waterborne illnesses, improved menstrual hygiene, and increased school attendance. The discussions highlighted the importance of community involvement, flexibility in implementation, reliable water supply, and data-driven improvements. Challenges around sanitary pad disposal, MHM facilities, and water access were noted, with clear recommendations proposed for each area. Moving forward, WE REACH is committed to implementing these insights, expanding community engagement, and strengthening WASH infrastructure for a healthier learning environment in 2025.