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WASH Project

Promoting Health Through Sanitation: CHEA’s WASH Project at Mbakor Community Secondary School

In the heart of Mbakor community, located in Benue State, Nigeria, hundreds of students attend classes daily with dreams of a brighter future. But for too long, they faced a silent threat that undermined their learning and well-being—a lack of proper sanitation facilities.

When CHEA visited the school during a climate-health sensitization outreach, what we found was heartbreaking. The school had no functional toilet facility. Students—especially girls—were forced to relieve themselves in nearby bushes. This not only exposed them to waterborne diseases like cholera and dysentery, but also heightened the risk of gender-based violence, infections, and school absenteeism, particularly during menstruation.

Understanding the critical link between climate resilience and public health, CHEA launched a WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) intervention tailored to the school's urgent needs.

Clean sanitation is a basic human right, yet climate change continues to worsen access to water and hygiene in vulnerable communities. Floods and droughts affect water quality, while rising temperatures contribute to disease outbreaks. By improving WASH infrastructure, we help schools like Mbakor become climate-resilient hubs of safety and health.

What we did

Constructed a modern ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrine for the school.

Conducted WASH education sessions for students and teachers on hygiene practices, including handwashing and menstrual health.

Engaged community leaders and parents to foster ownership and sustainability.

Facilitated meaningful public participation and review.

OUR IMPACT

Over 600 students now have access to safe and dignified sanitation.

Female students now attend school more consistently, even during menstruation.

Reported cases of diarrhea and urinary tract infections have reduced significantly

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STUDENT'S TESTIMONIALS

"This project has helped us girls a lot. Before, some of my classmates would leave school early or stay home. Now we can stay focused in class because we have privacy and safety."

Joy I.
SS3

"The new toilet is very clean and easy to use. I feel proud that we now have facilities like students in the city. I want to help keep it clean always."

John P.
SS3

"I liked the hygiene class we had. I learned how to wash my hands properly and why it's important. I even taught my younger siblings at home!"

Sarah J.
SS2

"We used to go into the bush to ease ourselves, and sometimes we got sick or bitten by insects. Since the new toilet came, everything is better. I’ve not had stomach pain like before."

David
JSS 3