This project is made possible through the partnership of WATER CHARITY and the NATIONAL PEACE CORPS ASSOCIATION.
Location
Fxxxx, Zou Region, Benin
This project summary has been redacted for security reasons to omit the specific project location.
Community Description
The project will take place at the Bohicon CEG 6 Middle School. The school is located in Fxxxx, a village on the outskirts of the city. There is no electricity or water on campus. The school has four classrooms constructed of local materials with palm branches as walls, tin/thatch roofing, and sand floors. The school has an enrollment of ~400 students ranging from 6th to 9th grade. The school’s enrollment has increased since it was founded in 2014.
The school serves the district of Agongointo, including the villages of Fxxxx, Zakanme, Manaboue, and Zoungoudo. The population of the Agongointo district is approximately 9,000. These villages served are located on the northeast outskirts of Bohicon in the Zou region of Benin. They are located right off of the interstate.
Problem Addressed
The Bohicon CEG 6 Middle School needs potable water and 8 hand-washing stations on campus. There is a water access point within 100 meters of the school. Without a water source on campus, students and staff do not have readily accessible drinking water during the school day. Consequently, many students go without drinking water all day. This leads to dehydration during hot periods of the year. Students also purchase 50cl water sachets for 25CFA. These plastic sachets often leach chemicals into the water due to prolonged sun exposure by the vendors.
The lack of readily accessible water and hand-washing stations also have serious consequences on hygiene and sanitation. Students and staff have no means of washing their hands after defecation or prior to eating. Food vendors, who often serve the entire student population, are unable to easily wash their hands before serving food and appropriately clean dirty dishes. Hand-washing practices are not evident on campus due to the lack of water and lack of hand-washing stations. 
Project Description
This project is to extend the municipal water line to the school campus and install 8 handwashing stations.
The goal of the project is to increase WASH awareness and increase access to potable water for both the school and the neighboring communities. The bulk of project will occur and be focused on the school campus. The project will bring water to the campus and procure and install 8 portable hand-washing stations made of local materials. It will extend the municipal water line by ~100 meters onto the CEG 6 campus.
The water line is currently in the heart of the village. It will service a tap at the school campus. This tap will provide the school and surrounding community with potable water. The 8 hand-washing stations will be installed at the latrines, classrooms, and food vendor areas.
CEDAS NGO and local school administration will help to mobilize the construction and workplan.
Project Impact
The project will benefit 400 people.
Project Administration
This project is being implemented under the direction of Peace Corps Volunteer Huy-Liem Nguyen.
Monitoring and Maintenance
Discussion with the school administration has been held and the school budget has been adapted to include monthly water, soap, and maintenance invoices. Maintenance plans regarding the waterline will be continued between the school administration and contractor.
Students appointed by the administration will refill the hand-washing stations daily. Water will be sold in the community, with proceeds used to mitigate the monthly cost and to purchase soap for hand-washing stations and other contingencies.
Project Funding
This project has been funded by an anonymous donor.