This week was quieter on the surface, but it was the fruition of several things happening behind the scenes. With no budget for new latrine construction this year, we turned our attention to smaller, high-impact fixes at schools we’ve already partnered with. Due to a tightening of the purse strings all around the development space, this year the GDPO was not able to construct an all new latrine at a school this summer. However, we were able to get estimates on smaller-scale repairs and maintenance projects. We determined which ones to do based on need, price, and return on previous investments. If a school never bothered to keep their latrines clean, why invest in another project?
The school selected for further investment this summer, and it was a difficult choice, was Awach Primary. The headmistress Joyce demonstrated improvement at each visit, was the first to take up our offer of malaria training, and has a large student body in need.
The state of Awach’s water tank and gutters from our first monitoring
The latrine at Awach is equipped with a girls changing room, so that they can wash and/or change clothes as needed during their menstrual cycle. Unfortunately the girls often dispose of their pads by throwing them into the latrine, or just out in the bush. We were able to construct an incinerator so they would no longer have to take up space in the latrine pit (only meant for waste) or have to sneak out to the bush to dispose of their pads. They could now be properly collected and burned, with instruction and supervision from the female teachers.
Emma and Myself, with the newly finished incinerator
As a bonus, the contractor also repaired the guttering and the water tank. Now the rain could be collected, then be used to wash student’s hands – right after using the latrine. Instead of having to go find a hand washing station.
The new guttering that fits snuggly into the water tank, with a new faucet.
I’m hoping these smaller interventions can reinforce the positive feedback and lead to better outcomes for the students. Clean latrines, basic repairs, and menstrual hygiene tools don’t grab headlines, but they’re the backbone of safe, dignified learning environment.
The girls can now wash their hands in proximity to the latrine, instead of having to find one
Posted By Aaron Bailey
Posted Jul 20th, 2025
4 Comments
Beatriz Lloret
July 20, 2025
Choosing to invest where there’s follow-through, like at Awach, shows wisdom. And the addition of the incinerator it’s a beautiful example of restoring dignity in everyday ways, sometimes it’s in those quieter wins that real dignity and long-term impact take root. Proud of you 💛
Iain Guest
July 20, 2025
This is a SUPER blog, Aaron. One of your best yet. It’s simple and straightforward and tells us EXACTLY what’s going on with your monitoring, down to why you decided to install the incinerator at Awach. (The reason being, presumably, that Joyce is a responsible head teacher and will make sure it is used properly). Also, this will make it much easier for GDPO and for AP to follow up with monitoring. We’ll done!!
Julia Holladay
July 23, 2025
I’m so interested in the incinerator and will definitely be reading up more on it! It is great to see the team taking these steps, even if they may seem small, to make sure all students are comfortable being at school. You’re comments about these steps being the real momentum towards a dignified school environment really resonated with me and is a always a good reminder.
Emma cohen
July 24, 2025
Great update, Aaron! I’m happy to hear about the progress that’s been made at Awach Primary and grateful for your reminder of the significance of small steps like these. I think that’s an important thing for all of us fellows to keep in mind with our work!