Sanitation issues

Sunday was a day off and involved an afternoon excursion with the family.  We took the road from Altagracia to do a complete circuit of the Volcanoe Concepcion.

I had reviewed my information and realised that I needed more information and photos if I was to seek a grant for the sanitary issues.  We had already earmarked Monday to go to the builders' merchants where we were to buy more items especially for El Corozal. This included a kit to mend a toilet and some hoses to connect them up. I think this will be the last trip as we have nearly spent the funds.  We had watering materials for Rafaela Herrera and some padlocks for Sintiope and Las Pilas.

I got my wish this time as the shop delivered all of our goods to the roadside free, then we waited for the bus. Everything was duly loaded while the bus stopped,  noone minds a bit. 

When we arrived at the school a bevy of helpers appeared which was just as well as it had started to rain and we didn't want the cement turning into expensive bricks.

Several staff helped, manually and on a motorbike, then someone from a roadside stall joined in.  The next day parents and the community were in the school installing the pipes and taps with great enthusiasm.

So now the school can set up its community garden and medicinal and herb garden. This feeds and supports the community and provides the children with useful responsibilities. I have asked Billingshurst Horticultural club if they can help the school.

Later that day I started collecting my toilet information.  This school, Rafaela Herrera has three functiining toilets for 300 +staff, and the women who come to sell snacks at breaktimes. Two are flushing toilets but are housed in wood and metal sheds that are falling apart. There are no washing facilities. One is a latrine also housed in a dilapidated shed with a lock on the outside but not inside, so no privacy and no lighting either.  There is a block of toilets, four that is locked. There is insufficient water coming through the system to  flush the toilets and the handbasins are disconnected and falling off the wall. There is a problem with the water tank, strangely the flushing toilets outside are connected to the mains water from another tank.   

All in all action is required, so I have all the evidence, but meanwhile Patrick has offered to look at the tank.  Then I will need a quote.  We have asked the school for a statement and evidence and signatures from the school and community. We have asked the same of Las Pilas. 

Here too, the tank is not working and all water comes from one tank which appears to be used to collect buckets of water for flushing the toilets, two of which are flushing toilets. It is also used to collect cleaning water and drinking water. Hands are washed in a bowl of water collected from the same tank, there are no wash basins. Now whilst this process is normal in many homes it is much less controllable when shared by 120 children and a dozen staff . 

There are no locks, There is no toilet paper storage nor anywhere to dispose of soiled paper ( it cannot be flushed here).  There is nowhere for the children to fill a bottle of water.  The latrine, which is full and in terrible condition is used by the boys as a urinal and smells badly, it is a real health hazard. The teachers say the children smell when they have used it. I asked about the three year olds, as I could imagine some real problems, as there is nowhere to wash them. Apparently they just have to send for the parents if there is an accident.  Now we have bought the parts to connect a drinking water tap but I am not convinced that the water is really healthy.  Last year I was aware there were problems but I don't think I grasped the full extent. I also wasn't sure what Macy's Rotary club were doing, or the new head. Now I understand the situation and the need better I feel compelled to improve all of this. I'm looking at grants.   I know Rotary covers sanitation, but there may be others.  

Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be a focus on keeping things tidy and clean. I know it is difficult given the climate, and I imagine there being no ancillary staff teachers focus on teaching and everything else just passes them by. Maybe they just give up, I have heard they are not motivated but I can see how our recent help has motivated them. 

On the way home we visited Gloria who has a disabled two-year old daughter, we are trying to get some help for her thtough the German project. Apparently the town hall got a wheel chair for her but when it was delivered to the community leader, he gave it to someone else he favoured.  I am learning a lot about how things work. Might be easier to get Peace and Hope to bring one! 

I have to ask, therefore, why there are  so many households with grandmothers young daughters and lots of little children. I know they have sex education. But I suppose there's no hope, no drive and a learned acceptance of the status quo. Another reason why  education is important. 

El Corozal has received their equipment and work starts tomorrow on mending toilets and repairing electricity.  Others will be disappointed not to get a cupboard or dance costume but we have to prioritise.

This afternoon Marvin and I went yo Altagracia where  I used my own cash to buy a few toys for Sintiope and Tilgue preschool classes.- some dolls and soft toys, crayons and plasticine and a ball each.   That's all we could find, but I'll collect more when I get home to send out.