IOM Uganda, with funding from European Union humanitarian aid  (ECHO) and the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), contributed to the improvement of the sanitation and hygiene situation in the four schools by constructing latrines for boys, girls and teachers.

In addition to latrines, IOM provided hygiene kits comprising of hand washing containers, waste collection containers, drinking water collection containers and menstrual hygiene kits for girls.

School latrines

To ensure the continued operation and maintenance of the sanitation facilities as well as the pupils’ good practices, IOM Uganda in collaboration with its education lead partner in Palorinya settlement, Windle International, created school health clubs in each school. The health clubs are in charge of sensitizing the fellow school pupils on acceptable sanitation and hygiene practices. The training and practices are expected to cascade to the pupils’ communities as children act as ambassadors of behavior change.

in the same month, health club members, including boys and girls, were trained by IOM on hygiene and sanitation behavior change using Child Hygiene and Sanitation Training (CHAST) approach. During the training, the members identified their inadequate sanitation habits and practices and analyzed their causes. Then, they were able to prioritize the changes that needed to be made and to design a school action plan for sanitation and hygiene behavior change. They are now in charge of implementing and monitoring the plan.

Plan designed by the Health group members.

While in Lefori Primary School to attend the training, Inspector of Schools for Moyo, Miss Harriet Andrua, appreciated IOM work in enhancing the capacities of pupils and teachers on CHAST.  

She further encouraged the trained health club members to pursue behavior change of their fellow pupils by implementing what they have learnt during the training.

Lastly, she urged the head teacher to support the school health club members to implement the action points developed during the training so they can create a sustainable change in the students’ sanitation and hygiene behavior.  

The trainings are among other activities implemented by IOM Uganda in Kyangwali, Kyaka II and Palorinya settlements with funding support from EU Humanitarian Aid and the UN Central Emergency Response Fund, which include providing safe water, supporting construction of sanitation facilities, and promoting hygiene best practices.