The ManicaPost
Blessing Rwizi Post Correspondent
DEVELOPMENT Aid from People to People (DAPP) has completed the construction of 24 blocks of latrine toilets for physically handicapped children at six schools in Mutasa District.
The move was taken to enable handicapped children to enjoy their right to education, association and movement as most of them were being confined indoors by their parents fearing that the society would rebuke them.
USAID injected US$1.5 million towards the project, among others under the C-WASH initiative that was launched in September 2015 in Mutasa, Nyanga, Chipinge and Chimanimani districts.
The 24 toilets approved by the Ministry of Health and Child Care were built at Pafiwa Mutasa Primary, Sherukuru High, Jombe Primary, Makwara Primary, Chisuko Secondary and Sagambe Primary schools.
These are central schools in Wards One, Four, 11 and 14 where the rest of the schools will come and copy after the two-year-project ends in July this year.
The toilets have ramps to ensure easy movement of those on wheelchairs and crutches as well as handles and toilet seats to enable them to assist themselves without anybody’s help.
They also have sanitary facilities favourable for the girl child, particularly bathrooms and sanitary cupboards with sanitary pads inside.
However, the same type of toilets has also been set in schools around Nyanga, Chimanimani and Chipinge districts.
Education Officer for Learner Welfare Services, Mr Charles Mazorodze, hailed the recognition of the handicapped by DAPP in Mutasa District.
“We are very grateful for the move taken by DAPP in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Child Care in recognising the handicapped and girl children in Mutasa District. Since these toilets were constructed in central places, we urge the rest of the schools to copy the plans of the latrine toilets and create more conducive and favourable facilities for our children,” said Mr Mazorodze.
DAPP chief of party, Mr Petros Muzuva, said: “The construction of these toilets will improve the learning environment in schools. There is no need for the girl child to miss her lessons because of her menstrual period as all the facilities will be readily available at each school.
“We also urge parents who have been confining their physically handicapped children indoors for fear of being rebuked by the society to send them to school. They are just like any other children and they won’t feel left out anyhow.”
