Blue Schools in Bubanza, Burundi

Project Status:

 

“In the pipeline 2/4″

 

This project is in the

process of fundraising

 

General Objective

To improve the living conditions of the students and teachers of two schools, Muyange and Mitakataka, by strengthening their capacity to adapt to climate change and their independent access to resources.

Specific objectives

1. Improve access to drinking water in the two schools through the construction of rainwater harvesting systems and adequate toilets;
2. Reforest the area surrounding the schools and create vegetable gardens to improve child nutrition and reduce erosion;
3. Educate the younger generations on the management/protection of natural resources, hygiene, peace and tolerance; train the PACT Committees to maintain the new facilities and treat the water.

Location

This project will take place in two schools in the Bubanza province of Burundi: Muyange Primary School and Mitakataka Primary and Secondary School.

Left: Muyange School; Centre: Mitakataka School; and Right: One of Mitakataka School’s toilets

Context

Neither school has access to water, and the children have to bring water with them from home or get it on the way to school. Both schools have a rainwater tank, but these are too small for the number of students and teachers, and currently neither of them are working.

Both schools have four toilets – two for girls and two for boys – but this is not enough for the number of students. While the Standards in Burundi state there should no more than 30 students per toilet: in Muyange, 167 children share one toilet, and in Mitakataka it is worse, with 185 children per toilet.

Activities

• Two PACT Committees (Parents – Authorities – Children – Teachers), will be created and trained to treat the water and maintain the new facilities;
• Construction of two rainwater harvesting systems, including two 50m3 and three 40m3 tanks;
• Construction of 40 toilets and 12 urinals;
• 1,400 trees will be planted – “A child, a tree” initiative;
• Creation of two vegetable gardens – “A school, a garden” initiative;
• Students and teachers will receive training in health and hygiene; environmental protection; and in peace, tolerance and non-violence.

Project duration

The project will take 18 months followed by 3 years of monitoring.

Beneficiaries

• 1,362 students and 45 teachers
• 2,600 parents
• Around 10,000 local inhabitants of the two villages

International partner

International Rainwater Harvesting Alliance (IRHA), Switzerland

Local partner

Centre de Paix Giramahoro, Burundi

Sponsors

We are currently looking for sponsors. If you would like to make a donation towards this project, you can do so by following one of the links below, in your preferred currency. Every donation helps!