Ngara, TZ – Mukirehe Primary School desperately needs new toilets – Apr 2025

Mukirehe Primary School is focused on solving the major challenge of unsanitary and unsafe toilets for their students. The school is calling on the community, local government and stakeholders to assist in building sustainable toilets to protect students’ health and lives.

The school has already made great strides, in collaboration with parents, village government leaders, and SODAT, with improving education by providing a sustainable breakfast, desks solutions and stationery service to students.

The 603 total students in the school use only four toilet holes – two for 299 boys, and two for 304 girls. These toilets are dilapidated, the foundation and the walls are cracked, a situation that threatens the safety and health of children. The health officer and other village leaders visited and ordered them not to be used anymore. It shut down and agreed with the school a new toilet had to be built.

In solidarity with the community, 280 families have contributed a total of 2,800,000 TZS / US$1,100 for the foundation material, and volunteered to dig a new toilet pit. The government will provide the rest of materials including roofing and finishing. The recommended toilet design, in this picture of Rau River Primary School’s toilet, from SODATs’ partner Tupendane has been agreed and approved. The design has 4 toilet holes for boys, a urinal area, 4 toilet holes and a changing room for girls, and a storage area.

The community leaders and the school management encourage all stakeholders with good will to contribute to the construction of quality, safe and sustainable toilets to protect and enhance our children’s health, improve attendance and achievement. A good education starts with a safe environment.