S is for sanitation

The sanitation block in Simle school is encouraging girls to stay in school.

Credit: WaterAid / Marco Betti

In the foothills of the Himalayas in Nepal, where rice paddies gleam in the sun and majestic mountain peaks stand in the far distance, scattered villages cling to the tops of hill sides.

For most people living here farming is the main source of income and their crops fill the terraced slopes. But, because the villages are spread across the hills, schools tend to be built in lower, central areas where more pupils can reach them.

For those whose houses sit on the top of hills the journey to school can become an arduous trek.

Fifteen year old Sumita is one such pupil. Her family is from a marginalised group who live and farm at the top of a steep hill. "I walk very fast on the way to school and it only takes 30 minutes," she explains "but on the way back up it takes two hours as it is steep and I get hungry and tired and so have to walk more slowly."

In the developing world girls are less likely to get an education than boys. Nearly a quarter of girls worldwide do not complete primary school and many more do not complete secondary school.

While difficult journeys like Sumita's or pressure to stay at home and help with chores like collecting water are all factors in keeping girls away from school, one simple reason for girls dropping out is that their schools don't have latrines or separate facilities for girls and boys. Teenage girls are particularly affected.

Sumita explains the problem, "We used to go to the bush where there were bamboo plants - we used to hide under the bamboo to go to the loo. It was really difficult especially during our periods or when we had diarrhoea. We wouldn't come to school then and used to stay at home instead."

Finding a private place to go to the toilet was a big issue for Sumita and her friends, especially with teenage boys around. "We used to have to run when we saw the boys coming. Sometimes the boys used to see us defecating and then used to tease and embarrass us."

Then, having raced up the hill to find some privacy the girls would have to get to their next class before the bell went, and they found this harder still. "If you aren't in time you miss the class and so when we had our period we often had to attend one class and then miss the next hour of class. We often had to leave class or go home early."

"It used to make us sad to miss school because of this - if we had a toilet we could continue our classes instead. We could save our time and carry on our education as well."

The girls not only faced problems at school, but at home too. "Sometimes our parents didn't understand the situation - sometimes when we came home early they just told us off," she continues.

Fifteen year old Sumita says: "Now we don't need to miss our classes and we feel healthier than before."

Credit: WaterAid / Marco Betti

But things are different now in Simle school. WaterAid and our partner organisation NEWAH have constructed a school toilet block with separate facilities for the girls and the boys.

"Compared to before it is really very easy now," Sumita explains. "We really struggled before and it's hard to compare then and now as there is so much improvement. Now we don't need to miss our classes and we feel healthier than before."

"There used to be a chance of getting diseases from the polluted environment but now this has really reduced."

Sumita and her friends agree that without the school sanitation block they would have attended fewer lessons and have carried on missing school. Now, simply because they have a toilet they hope to finish their studies and go on to have better futures.

"It's a massive change compared to before. We feel very happy that we don't need to leave the class any more and that we can carry on with our studies. Then we will work at home or go and find jobs."

How schools can get involved

There are many ways that schools in the UK and around the world can help support our work. We have a wide range of resources available for teachers and all sorts of activities for children of all ages to take part in.

Splash Out
Splash Out is our new fundraising website for kids. It's packed full of fun ideas, games and facts.
www.wateraid.org/splashout

Splish Splash Flush
TV presenter Adam Hart-Davis brings his unique mix of informative fun to our new children's DVD. Filmed in Bangladesh and the UK, Splish Splash Flush explains all about WaterAid's work and the vital importance of water and sanitation in helping people overcome poverty and disease.

Find out more on the Splash Out website

To find out how your school can get involved or to order a free copy of the DVD please visit
www.wateraid.org/schools or call us on 0845 6000 433.