This project has been completed under the direction of Peace Corps Volunteer Charles Possin. To read about the beginning of the project, CLICK HERE.
The project was originally designed to renovate 3 toilets and a sink at the resource center, but exceeded expectations.
Charles reports:
The project at Sinozwelo Resource Centre was completed in January, with funds from Appropriate Projects, an initiative of Water Charity.
The scope of the project included the repair of four flushing toilets for a daycare center that provides service and programs for 94 children (age 2-6) and an after-school orphan and vulnerable children (OVC) program which provides meals and after-school programs for 99 OVC’s. In addition, the funds enabled the replacement of cabinets in the kitchen that provides the meals for both the creche and the OVC program.
The improvements involved replacing the water hose tubing leading to the toilets to increase water pressure and the replacement of parts in all of the flushing toilets.
In the kitchen, counters and cabinet doors were replaced since existing counters and cabinets were rotting due to water damage.
The project progressed extremely well. A local contractor who knew many of the children served by Sinozwelo Resource Centre completed the initial work and checked back after 30 days to make sure that all of the toilets were operational, and the cooks were pleased with their new cabinetry.
The response by the OVC’s and the families of the daycare center to the repair of the toilets has been overwhelming. Prior to the improvements, children often used the outdoor space in the back of the center as their latrine or sanitation area. Now, after the repairs, all of the four toilets are operational and used daily by the children.
On my last day in Tugela Ferry, three of the teachers for the Sinozwelo Daycare Centre thanked me with huge hugs and tears, saying that my volunteer work (and the repair of the toilets) was the best thing that has happened for many years. I told them that Appropriate Projects was the real organization that needed to be thanked.
All in all, the project was a great success and people were extremely grateful. I want to again thank Appropriate Projects for making all of this possible.
We wish to thank Charles for completing this project, and again extend our gratitude to The Soneva SLOW LIFE Trust for providing the funding.