Project Background.

The WASH and Learn project targets six (6) primary schools and 12 villages in Rutete Subcounty and Kibito Town council in Kabarole and Buyangabu Districts respectively. The project targets to serve at least 4500 pupils and 15,000 men and women in the target schools and communities

The main objective/intended impact of the project is improved health and quality of education arising from equitable access to sustainable safe clean water, sanitation and better hygiene practices for pupils and teachers.

The project intends to realise a number of outcomes as a result of its interventions

These include: Improved academic performance of pupils as a result of reduced school absenteeism owing from ill health, reduced dropout rates of girls and increased pupil retention and completion rates, improved WASH practices in communities through adopting smarter and more effective governance strategies as well as enhanced social and economic status of women through actively working with them and building their capacity.

Achievements of the project.

2 gender responsive health clubs consisting of 30 members each were formed and trained in menstrual health management, operation and maintenance of hygiene and sanitation facilities, hand washing, anal cleansing and waste management
126 new latrines have been constructed in Kasali, Bubwika C and B and Kibito central project villages. This will reduce the contamination of the water sources with ecoli bacteria.
2 women groups have been trained in making reusable face masks to reduce on
4 women WASH -led businesses formed and strengthened,
274 women trained in WASH related income generating activity (liquid soap pads and re-usable masks),
12 women holding key positions in WASH committees
3 dialogue meetings held with women entrepreneurs on WASH as a business
4 WASH committees have been trained,
2 cost recovery plans and two 2 risk assessment plans developed for Yerya and Bubwika primary schools.
4 villages have been triggered for ODF and 4 sanitation committees formed and trained,
2 rain water harvesting tanks constructed
2 five (5) stance latrine (with WASH room) have been constructed in 2 primary Schools.
78 mothers sensitized on HIV/AIDS,
86 Females trained in SRHR
274 women and girls trained in Menstrual Health management.

Success story

Male involvement in Menstrual Hygiene Management

Caritas Fort Portal-HEWASA is implementing a WASH and Learn project in 6 primary schools in Bunyangabu and Kabarole Districts which is aimed at integrating community and school WASH projects with funding from SIMAVI .The projects main objective is Improving health and quality of education arising from equitable access to sustainable safe clean water, sanitation and better hygiene practices for pupils in schools and neighboring communities. One of the major components of the program is Menstrual Hygiene management with major focus on making the school and home environment friendly for the girl child. A series of trainings were conducted with the boys in schools and men in communities on the concept of menstruation and the psych- socio trauma women and girls go through during menstruation, the support they require from them as men as well as making Reusable Menstrual Pads (RUMPS),

Abdallah Kabagambe one of the participants was quoted saying,” My wife passed away two years ago leaving me with 5 children, two boys and three girls. All the three girls were still young by the time of her death. As they grew up, I started struggling communicating with them especially when they hit puberty. I had to call in my sister to help and talk to them but this training has enlightened me on what girls go through during menstruation and how to support them.”

Abdallah kabagambe making a reusable pad during the training.

Conclusion

When Men and boys are sensitized on menstrual health management issues, they regard menstruation as normal and part of growth. This greatly contributes to reduced ridicule and stigma for menstruating girls as well as enhancing the support system for girls and women on menstrual health management.