Abidjan: The African Water Facility is providing a grant of €1.2-million to help improve school sanitation facilities in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, it announced.
Over 100,000 students will directly benefit from this project, which will also create business opportunities for entrepreneurs as well as employment for local youth. The project will support local social franchise businesses to provide affordable and sustainable on-site sanitation services to about 300 schools in the Amathole and Buffalo City Municipalities in East London District.
The social franchise model has gained the interest and endorsement from local government partners as a viable model for sanitation services. This innovative business model will help build sanitation sector capacities through close partnership arrangements with both the municipal level partners and the local community.
Moreover, the project will help raise awareness of sanitation practices amongst the students, paying particular attention to the needs of girls. A menstrual hygiene management plan will be piloted in 10 of the targeted schools, where sanitary disposal bins will also be provided.
