School Sanitation Program in Chikwawa District

The goal of the Children’s Sanitation and Hygiene Program is to reduce diarrhea and water-borne illnesses in children by addressing the two major causes of these diseases: lack of sanitation facilities and poor hygiene practices. This program has identified schools in two rural municipalities in Chikwawa, Malawi. Students receive ongoing hygiene education classes that reinforce the important times to wash hands, the health risks of open defecation, and proper use and upkeep of sanitaiton facilities.

Small holes have been dug at each school and sanitation platforms have been distributed to students. The student put their cement sanitation platform over the hole. After each use, they add dirt and ash to the hole. Students have been trained in how to use these latrines and how to keep them clean. Tippy taps are located near the arbor-loos. These are temporary structures that use plastic bottles with holes at the bottom tied to a post. Students put a scoop of water in the tippy tap and it lets water flow slowly so students can wash their hands.

Once the holes under the student sanitation platforms are full, a tree will be planted and new holes will be dug for new arbor-loos. Water For People-Malawi is monitoring these schools very closely and the schools that keep good care of their arbor-loos will be eligible to receive permanent structures.