Vision Africa Regional Network (VAREN) has built 223 toilets in 53 Community schools in Luapula province at a cost of 2.3 Million Kwacha.
Organization Executive Director Jackson Mwenya says the toilet facilities have been built with the support of UNICEF and DFID in Mansa, Chembe and Milenge district
Mr. Mwenya says the construction of the facilities is aimed at improving sanitation conditions in community schools which have been left behind in sanitation issues after being declared government schools.
He noted that VAREN found it appropriate to supplement government efforts by constructing pit latrines in community schools so as to overcome the poor sanitary conditions especially for the girl child who has to undergo the menstrual cycle every month.
He said VAREN focused on providing inclusive latrines in the three districts to deal with challenges such as those of menstrual hygiene management.
Mr. Mwenya indicated that the inclusive latrines have the component of attending to the girl child concerning menstrual hygiene management to enable them continue with school even when they are on menstrual period.
He has since appealed to government to consider budgeting for Menstrual Hygiene Management saying that is the only way the girl child will learn in a hygienic environment.
Let’s develop this thing and sent it to retirement in 2021.