WaSH for the 400 children of the whole Snoeng commune

History of the primary school

Snoeng commune is located in the northwest of Cambodia. The village is approximately 23 km from the nearest major city of Battambang. Few schools in Cambodia have access to safe water sources on school grounds, adequate sanitation facilities, and an option to wash their hands.

Clean and adequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (Water Sanitation Hygiene – WasH) prevent the spread of disease. Adequate hand hygiene, and knowledge of it, reduces disease transmission. WASH facilities play an important role in preventing infection and saving lives.

Lack of WasH puts the health of students and teachers at risk. Especially with the additional threat of Sars-Covid19, quick and consistent action is very important. There are 450 students attending the primary school. They are taught by 16 teachers.

The children have hardly any access to clean water and / or sanitary facilities. The current situation COVID-19 worldwide shows us how important the right hygiene measures are.

Condition of the school before the retrofit

Power supply

Not available

Existing resources and their use

There are two rain catchment tanks (capacity 6,000 l each). The rain catchment tanks are leaking and not functional. In addition, there is a well and a small pond on the school grounds. The water from the pond and the well can be used as utility water and is available to the school during the rainy season (June-October). This water is mainly used for the latrines, their cleaning and hand washing (no hand washing stations available). However, the water is not enough to cover the daily needs of the students. When the water is used up, the school buys impure and untreated water from a tanker, if funds are available.

During the dry season (November-May) there is no water, so the school is dependent on buying water. According to the school director, there is no water for at least five months of the year.

If there is little/no water available the latrines are put out of service. Children are forced to defecate behind the school in very limited space.

There are no hand washing stations available. The students have no opportunity to wash their hands.

There is no drinking water available for the students.

General condition of the school (cleanliness / maintenance)

Unfortunately, there has been no training in the area of water/hygiene/environment. Accordingly, garbage is inadequately disposed of. There is a lack of hardware, understanding and knowledge.

Conversion of the school

Measures

Rainwater collection tank, incl. foundation and piping: 2 pcs. with 35,000 l
Latrine (toilet): 3 pcs. (divided for girls and boys). The standard according to Ministry of Education & Sport is one toilet for every 50 girls and one toilet for every 100 boys. We install an additional urinal for the boys.
professional cleaning and repair of the existing toilet blocks
Hand washing stations: 12 pcs. will be installed in front of the toilets and at the entrance. In addition, the used water will be used for watering the plants.
2 Waste disposal system
Handover ceremony of the WaSH system
Follow-up, transport
Training of teachers and students

Training of the director and first teacher in maintenance work, upkeep
Training of teachers in hygiene and handling of WaSH system
Training of students in hygiene and handling of WaSH system

Water analysis

Testing of drinking water quality

Monitoring & Evaluation

Ongoing

Cost per child, for an effective and sustainable elimination of the inhumane conditions, 43,34 €.

Detailed project costs

No.	Description	Costs in €
1	2x cement water tank (capacity 35.000 L) + base + taps + gutter + pipes, incl. water test, 2x repair of existing rainwater collection tank	8,000,-
2	12x Hand washing stations	2,160,-
3	3x latrines (1x handicapped accessible for girls and boys), 1x urinal, 2x repair of existing toilets	3,300,-
4	2x Ramps, handicapped access to the school buildings	400,-
5	COVID-19 prevention	130,-
6	Training of students in the field of hygiene and handling	1,200,-
7	Trainings Maintenance and servicing	160,-
8	Training of teachers in the field of hygiene and handling	220,-
9	WaSH system handover ceremony	220,-
10	Follow-up, Transport	1,440,-
11	Personnel costs, transport, administration	2,270,-

Fazit

With a total budget of only €19,500, the learning and working conditions for 450 students, 16 teachers, and other school staff could be improved effectively, long-lasting, and sustainably. The risk of injury was drastically reduced and hygienic conditions improved.

Date: ….

Project coordinates: …..