Empowering young minds and clean communities: MyLegacy’s WASH impact at Mtakuja Secondary School in Tanzania
Situated in Kunduchi, Dar es Salaam, Mtakuja Secondary School is not just a place for academic growth but also a place for fostering a cleaner and healthier environment. Since 2021, MyLegacy has collaborated with Mtakuja Secondary School to address health challenges related to COVID-19. With generous support from MyLegacy and funding from Habitat for Humanity, the school received crucial resources like water tanks and soap for the school’s toilets to maintain proper hand hygiene. This is particularly significant in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has underscored the vital role of hand hygiene in preventing the spread of infectious diseases. The school also received valuable resources and training related to Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Promotion (WASH).
In response to these challenges, the school established the WASH Club. The club is dedicated to instilling environmental awareness and promoting personal hygiene among the students of Mtakuja Secondary School. The WASH Club has made remarkable progress in enhancing hygiene and environmental conditions within the school.
One student, Magreth Lucas, a member of the WASH Club and a Form Four student at the school, shares her enthusiasm for the club’s transformative impact on their lives. Magreth underscores the importance of the club’s training aspect, where they receive valuable lessons on topics such as menstrual hygiene, the significance of avoiding early relationships, and the dangers associated with modern vices. The club empowers its members to make informed decisions about their health and well-being, playing a pivotal role in shaping students’ mindsets and actions, especially regarding the importance of cleanliness in disease prevention.
Magreth and her fellow club members actively engage in various activities to promote cleanliness and environmental stewardship beyond the school grounds. These activities include participating in community clean-up events, such as cleaning the office of the village chairperson or tidying up the local beach.
Another student, Daniel Amoni, adds to Magreth’s account, sharing the club’s early challenges and remarkable growth. The club initially started with only a handful of students, and they encountered difficulties explaining the club’s purpose and significance to their peers. However, through dedication and hard work, the club gradually gained momentum.
As the club expanded, its benefits became increasingly evident. Students learned to be self-reliant and responsible, not just in terms of their personal hygiene but also in maintaining a clean school environment. The club imparted valuable life skills that extended well beyond the classroom.
Glory Massawe, a teacher at Mtakuja Secondary School and the supervisor of the WASH Club, passionately emphasizes the club’s profound impact on the students. She highlights how the club has enhanced their education and equipped them with invaluable practical life skills. “The club teaches students to create their soap, tend to gardens, and ensure proper sanitation,” she stated.
The impact of the WASH Club on the school’s environment has been substantial. As Glory points out, “The club’s activities have significantly reduced hygiene-related illnesses among the students, a pivotal factor in maintaining their health and regular school attendance.” Furthermore, she underlines, “Clean water and sanitation are fundamental elements in creating an ideal learning environment.”
Glory also underscores the pivotal role played by MyLegacy in supporting the WASH Club and the school’s efforts to enhance WASH conditions. She acknowledges MyLegacy’s provision of resources, education, and guidance as vital in empowering the students to make a tangible impact. In her words, “Without this support, the students would have faced far greater challenges in maintaining proper hygiene and addressing environmental conditions.”
Daniel Gaudence, MyLegacy’s Head of Operations, underscores the club’s significance, saying, “This club vividly illustrates the transformative potential of grassroots initiatives in effecting positive change within communities. Through instilling a sense of responsibility, nurturing cleanliness, and advocating for personal hygiene, the club not only enhances the students’ educational journey but also prepares them for a healthier and more sustainable future.”
He further emphasizes, “MyLegacy is committed to an ongoing endeavor, focusing on similar programs aimed at shaping these students into responsible citizens who prioritize both environmental stewardship and their health, ultimately contributing to the creation of a healthier nation.”