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“Fit for Schools” visits the Safe Back to School Campaign in Lusaka, Zambia

Written by s.mutafya on . Posted in Countries, Zambia.

Safe learning environments remain a priority for partners collaborating under the Safe Back to School (SB2S) campaign, launched under the Lusaka Water Security Initiative`s Green Schools Partnership Proramme in reaction to the Covid-19 outbreak. Partners now hosted the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) advisor for the GIZ-implemented programme “Fit for Schools”, Ms Anna Kristina Kanathiogoda, in Lusaka. The event took place on the 10th of August 2022 at Chakunkula Combined School, one of the 180 schools in Lusaka that has so far benefitted from WASH interventions under the SB2S Campaign.

Handwashing demonstration, using the jumbo handwashing facility installed at Chakunkula Combined School in Lusaka.
Copyright: GIZ/Mu Kreativz

The campaign targets schools with large enrolment numbers, special needs, challenges with water access and availability, as well as with providing adequate sanitation. It supports sensitization programmes for teachers, learners and the surrounding communities on proper WASH practices, as well as the installation of jumbo handwashing stations for many pupils to wash their hands simultaneously. Given the campaign`s success, the Fit for Schools visit to Zambia was aimed at getting a deeper understanding of the various WASH interventions under the campaign`s previous phases.

WaterAid Zambia representative Ms. Bwalya Nachula explaining the various activities implemented under the SB2S Campaign.
Copyright: GIZ/Mu Kreativz

Safe Back to School Partners include Lusaka City Council (LCC), Lusaka District Education Board (DEBS), WaterAid Zambia and the Lusaka Water Security Initiative (LuWSI) supported by NatuReS.

Chakunkula Combined School Head Teacher Ms. Georgina Kawila, highlighting the SB2S Campaign`s impacts on the school, the learners and the communities that learners come from. She stressed the need for more WASH sensitization interventions for parents. Copyright: GIZ/Mu Kreativz

Partners highlighted the strong collaboration and coordination between different organizations under the campaign, ensuring effective delivery of the project interventions. This has positively impacted the schools; creating a clean and green environment for leaners while building trust with the communities. This improved pupils` school attendance and strengthened the relationship between schools and communities.

NatuReS Zambia Country Coordinator Ms. Goodhart thanking partners for their participation and collaboration and acknowledging the need for continuous lesson-sharing to further enhance the SB2S Campaign.
Fit for Schools representative Ms. Kanathiogoda commending the SB2S Campaign for keeping schools open and safe during the pandemic – A great achievement given that some countries are only just beginning to re-open their schools.

Fit for schools supports ministries of education to sustainably improve water, sanitation and hygiene in schools. They are extending their reach to Zambia through the SB2S Campaign and will support the fourth phase of the campaign through the NatuReS Zambia programme.

Safe Back to School Campaign Partners. Copyright: GIZ/Mu Kreativz

Author: Sonile Mutafya, NatuReS Advisor Zambia