Location
Village of Bouadia, Beni Mellal Province, Tadla-Azilal Region, Morocco
Community Description
Bouadia is a small village located several kilometers from the foothills of the Middle Atlas Mountains in central Morocco. The residents speak the Imazighn dialect.
Comprised of less than 150 families, for a total population of approximately 700, Bouadia is a farming community where income is generated through agriculture and the raising of livestock.
At present, there are 30 girls and 25 boys that attend Madrassa Bouadia, the local primary school.
Problem Addressed
There are no bathrooms or washbasins for the students to use. As a result, many students are forced to relieve themselves in nearby fields, behind or in a defunct school building, or simply wait until they return home.
Students are prone to obtaining urinary tract infections, diarrhea, and intestinal parasites directly related to their lack of healthy and environmentally conscious choices when it comes to using the bathroom.
Girls especially are impacted the by the lack of facilities. Due to the conservative nature of rural Morocco, girls are often not at liberty to relieve themselves in public as boys do. This severely affects their concentration and ability to focus in classes, and even more devastatingly prevents some girls from coming to school at all.
Project Description
This project is to build 3 latrines and 2 washbasins at the school.
Water Charity is participating as part of a larger construction and education project being implemented under the Peace Corps Partnership Program.
The building and related facilities will be built under the direction of the Association des Parente Et Tuteure des Eleves a Bouadia.
A septic tank will be dug and the building constructed. The fixtures will be installed and connected to the tank, and a water supply will be established.
Water Charity funds will be used for the purchase of fixtures, including 3 sqat toilets, and 2 sinks and faucets. They will also pay for materials, including iron, rocks, bricks, cement, sand, gravel, tile, paint and piping and fittings. Finally, they will pay for the skilled masonry, plumbing and electrical work.
The community and school will contribute the unskilled labor in the construction of the septic tank and building, rocks and bricks to create a pathway from the school to the bathroom, and food for the workers.
With the cooperation of the faculty and association members a health fair will be held following completion of the toilets. Lessons will be given on the topics of hand washing, dental hygiene, environment, physical fitness, disability awareness, and nutrition.
After completion of the latrines and health fair, an evaluation and follow up will take place to discuss how to move forward and ensure the sustainability of the project.
Plans will be made regarding long term maintenance and use of the latrines and washbasins as well as the idea of incorporating more health education into the school’s curriculum.
Project Impact
61 people, consisting of 25 boys, 30 girls, 5 teachers, and 1 staff support member will benefit from the project.
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Melanie Kondrat
Comments
This project will provide the students and faculty with access to functioning latrines and washbasins. It will encourage students and faculty to adopt behaviors and practices that will reduce illness and reflect healthy choices.
Dollar Amount of Water Charity Participation in Project
$1,221.14
Donations Collected to Date
$1,221.14
Dollar Amount Needed
$0.00 – The participation of Water Charity in this project has been fully funded through the generosity Tony Young.
We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify Peace Corps Volunteer Melanie Kondrat of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by Melanie and/or those of other PCVs in the country of service.
This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.