This project has been completed under the direction of Peace Corps Volunteer Camille Simpson. To read about the beginning of the project, CLICK HERE.
The project was to construct 2 new composting latrines at the school.
Camille reports:
With a few weather and financial setbacks, Groupe Scolaire Gikongoro has finally successfully managed to complete the Water Charity ecological latrine project.
The construction began with the leveling of the foundation, the erection of individual latrine frames, and the laying of the piping. Upon the arrival of the wooden doors and roofing from local carpenters and welders, the work was completed.
With only 2 ecological latrines to be constructed, and after the local Gasaka sector office received notice of this project and favored the project idea, they volunteered to help support the construction of an additional 4 more ecological latrines. Groupe Scolaire Gikongoro now offers a total of 6 brand new ecological latrines for the use of 198 female students, teachers, and visitors.
With the new concept of compost latrines being implemented across Rwanda, and the Groupe Scolaire project being the second school in the Gasaka sector to adopt this innovative approach, the project idea sparked a lot of interest and attention from neighboring schools. The Groupe Scolaire has been and will continue to be a model approach for nearby schools to learning more about innovative ways to maximize their school’s food security by using compost and to receive education on the function of the new compost latrine approach.
With students away from school for summer break, it’s anticipated that once they return in late August and with the nearby rainy season approaching compost accumulated from the new ecological latrines will be used by the students of the nutrition clubs to begin creating kitchen gardens at the schools.
The female students and the headmaster Marieann were so excited to have their own conveniently located private latrines that the headmaster Marieann said “We have plenty of room for our growing number of girls now and I’m excited to see how our gardens will grow with this new concept in place.”
As a Peace Corps volunteer, community member, and friend, I was happy to work together with my community members to implement these compost latrines to help them increase their food security and to serve as a model approach for other schools, and community members to view.
We again wish to thank The Soneva SLOW LIFE Trust for providing the funding for this project.
