USAID donates VIP latrines to Sokontwe Community School

USAID donates VIP latrines to Sokontwe Community School

Luwingu, Feb22/13,ZANIS—-United –States Agency for International Development has constructed six Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) latrines worth KR30, 000   to Sokontwe community school  in chief Tungati’s area.

The donation was made through the Development Aid from People to People (DAPP).

School head teacher, Bruno Mwiinde, disclosed this in a press statement released to Zambia News and Information Services (ZANIS) in Luwingu.

Mr Mwiinde said the donation of VIP latrines has improved the school attendance as learners were shunning lessons due to none availability of the facility.

He said that in the past both teachers and pupils were using the nearby bush to answer the call of nature.

Mr. Mwiinde thanked both the U-SAID and DAPP for the gesture for construction of the latrines and assured them that the facility will be guarded jealously.

Meanwhile, Mr Mwiinde has appealed to the government to consider up-grading the school status from community school to government primary level for the community to benefit from the ministry of education.

The head teacher said the pupils at the community school walk long distances to get to the nearest government school to sit for their Grade Seven final examinations.

He said his school has received tremendous support from the non government organizations operating in Luwingu district as such the World Vision Zambia, who donated 45 school desks late last year in order to improve the learning condition for children living in remote area.

Mr Mwiinde assured that if the school status is upgraded from community to government primary school, the Ministry of Education will in turn send more qualified teachers, thereby improving the school status.

And DAPP District coordinator, Alex Tembo, disclosed that his organization has constructed VIP toilets in eleven schools in Luwingu district.

Mr Tembo named some of the schools that have benefited as Mucheleka, Mumba, Chanda Mwamba, Saili, Chikoti and Washeni Basic Schools.

He added that his organization stands ready to partner with the Ministry of Education in areas of water and sanitation.

Mr Tembo said the donation of the six pit latrines at Sokontwe and other eleven basic schools in Luwingu district will also improve teachers’ retention as most teachers shun such areas as they cannot afford to answer the call of nature in the bush.