In June, students from The High School of Glasgow travelled to Zanzibar to support the construction of the toilet block as part of our WASH programme after fundraising for the project.
For the past three years, we have been working on a transformative Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) programme which aims to provide increased and equal opportunities for girls and boys at the three schools we support in Zanzibar by delivering a Hygiene and Menstrual Health programme alongside the construction of toilet blocks, hand washing stations and private spaces to manage menstruation.
In 2022, the construction of new latrines, handwashing stations and privacy rooms was completed at Fuoni and Kijito Upele Schools, and the next stage was to secure funding to start the programme at Kinuni School.
The High School of Glasgow partnered with Kinuni School at the end of 2022 and set themselves the goal of raising money as a school to fund a new toilet block as part of our WASH programme, which they would support with the construction of during their trip.
Fundraising
The proactive approach from the High School of Glasgow students saw them raise a fantastic amount and also gain valuable skills along the way.
Some of their group fundraising events included a quiz night held in the school hall, selling pancakes and holding a pancake race for Shrove Tuesday and holding a non-school uniform day where the students paid to wear their trainers to school.
The group also collected donations from the community for the students at Kinuni School. They handed out shoes, clothes, notepads, sports equipment, medical supplies and teacher materials.
Volunteering at Kinuni School
Ready for their arrival, local builders constructed the new toilet block of 13 new toilets and the girl’s menstruation room, which allowed the students to get to work straight away with tiling, painting, and decorating the block ready for the children and staff to use.
The volunteers also helped to dig a trench for a water pipe, which connected running water to the toilet block.
After working together as a team, the students completed the construction of the toilet block and menstruation room, which was officially opened in a ceremony by the Minister for Education in Zanzibar. During the ceremony, former pupils of Kinuni performed an acrobatic performance to say thank you on behalf of their younger siblings.
The hard work didn’t stop there! During their 15-nigh trip, the group also helped to plaster the new perimeter wall, which was built to keep the new toilet block secure, built a water fountain, decorated the nursery and the exterior wall and painted some of the classrooms.
The group enjoyed a day of sporting activities with the students at Kinuni. They played tug of war which ended all square, and a football match, which was 7-6 to The High School of Glasgow.
“It has been a pleasure for The High School of Glasgow to work with Samson and his team at Kinuni School to provide this much-needed toilet block and directly support improving not only sanitation but also educational attainment at the school. The High School of Glasgow staff and pupils developed an array of new skills, such as plastering, tiling & grouting, alongside digging trenches, shifting sand and rubble, sanding and painting and decorating to help complete the project. In addition, they had great fun interacting with the pupils, teaching lessons and playing sports, making memories which will last a lifetime.” Nickie Cowan, Head of Geography & Modern Studies and Group Leader.
Impact
Before the WASH programme, 6,102 students at Kinuni had to share 15 inadequate toilets, which were not fit for purpose. With the support of The High School of Glasgow, 13 new toilets were built, along with the existing ones repaired; 11 hand-wash stations were provided; a private room was constructed for girls to wash their reusable sanitary pads, and piped water was installed.
Through a combination of better facilities, positive behaviour change and education around menstruation, the project should ensure that Kinuni School enjoys better student attendance and higher academic attainment.
“We couldn’t be more grateful for the hard work and determination shown by the students at The High School of Glasgow towards our WASH Programme here at Kinuni School and the impact this project will have on our students.” Samson Zuberi, In-Country Co-ordinator, Zanzibar.
Whether you’re looking to embark on a memorable school trip, an exciting college adventure, a charity or CCO wanting to do something different and meaningful, or an organisation looking to run a staff engagement trip- we have something for you and a project you can get involved with. Find out more here.
