Education

The fastest way out of poverty is through education. The expansion of the school is important in order to be able to realise future prospects in the region.

Basic equipment with furniture, blackboards and solar lamps has been installed, text books have been provided and new teachers have been employed.

The construction of separate toilets for girls and boys was an important prerequisite for ensuring that 75% of girls do not leave school after the 5th grade as they did before when they started menstruating.

The way to school is manageable on foot, sometimes very far and especially for girls unsafe and risky. Sleeping at school is therefore a basic requirement for being able to take the final exams in Primary 7 Class (15 to 16-year-olds). The 20 new stock beds now provide a safe place to rest and to gain new strength for school and the exams.

Security personnel have been employed for the night, but a fence around the school grounds is still missing.

Since the children already came to class without breakfast after a long journey to school and were supposed to study from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. without being given anything to eat, many pupils stayed away from class.

Therefore, a first pilot project was launched and maize for porridge was delivered to the school. One meal was distributed daily, five days a week, two of which were provided by the parents. With this porridge program the children receive one warm meal per day and are encouraged to stay in school: now more than 1,360 pupils, 731 of whom are girls.

Clean water is essential for health, nutrition, agriculture and the environment. Thus, in addition to latrines at the school, a new water supply system was built. 18 water tanks, each with a volume of 10,000 or 5,000 litres, were constructed at the school. Rainwater collection pipes were also set up. The topic of ‘water’ is addressed in school, in the agricultural part of the project and on the Health Days.

Hygienically safe sanitary facilities and basic preventive measures such as hand washing with soap are being consolidated.

Sport in school creates a physical balance and enables children to better cope with daily challenges.

In addition, young people from poor backgrounds are given access to sports (e.g. football).

By harnessing the power of sport, vulnerable youth are taught life skills and given a way to escape violence, crime and drug use.

Support for highly talented athletes – especially sprinters – is also provided. Some have already made it into the national team.