Pupils at Shantumbu Combined School in Kafue, Zambia, were previously lacking access to clean and modern restroom facilities and running water. However, with the assistance of the Ngonye Solar Farm, this issue has been resolved.
The school had an urgent need to replace its primitive and unhygienic pit latrines, which posed significant health and safety risks to the students. These outdated facilities not only lacked proper sanitation but also posed dangers to smaller children who could fall into the pit latrines.
The Ngonye Solar Plant, a 34MW facility operated by Enel Green Power, is located nearby in the Lusaka Multi-facility Economic Zone (LSMFEZ) and supplies electricity to the national ZESCO grid.
Local contractor GIEVO Investments used local labor and materials, including stone from a nearby quarry, to construct a modern brick-and-mortar ablution facility for the school, with minimal environmental impact.
The new facility includes separate sections for boys, girls, and teachers, providing privacy, safety, and hygiene. It features toilets, wash basins, and even a shower, which is especially valuable for students without this amenity at home. Additionally, a ramp has been included for students with disabilities.
A borehole was installed to provide clean, running water for flushing toilets and handwashing, and students received training on proper hygiene practices.
The construction of the facility faced challenges due to the school’s rural location, with difficult roads making material delivery challenging. The materials had to be stored securely to prevent theft.
The ablution facility was officially handed over to the school in April 2023, just months after construction began. District Education Board Secretary Belina Moono expressed the significance of having modern restroom facilities and clean water at a school in the rural outskirts of Kafue, Zambia, emphasizing the positive impact on students’ health and dignity.
In summary, the Ngonye Solar Farm, through local efforts and funding, played a crucial role in providing Shantumbu Combined School with much-needed modern restroom facilities and access to clean water, improving the learning environment for students and teachers.
