The Diakonia Department Works on Providing a Healthy Environment for Students in Rural Damascus
It is a fact that unequipped WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) facilities that do not meet good hygiene conditions constitute a danger that might cause the spread of diseases among students.
Therefore, The Service and Relief Department –Diakonia, at The Middle East Council of Churches, Damascus’ Office, rehabilitated the WASH facilities in Aartouz Third (Al Thaletha) School and Aartouz Mixed (Mukhtalata) School in Aartouz, Josef Abou Zedan School in Sehnaya and Mohamad Husein Eid School in Jdaihet Aartouz City in Rural Damascus in order to secure a healthy environment for students and teachers.
The rehabilitation activities included the rehabilitation of WASH infrastructure and its equipment, maintenance of the drinking water network, installation of taps, toilets, doors, tile, ceramic, electric cables, water pumps and pipes in addition to completing the required painting activities.
Ms. Nour Rezek, The Director of Josef Abou Zedan School in Sehnaya in Rural Damascus, said, “The rehabilitation work improved the situation of the WASH facilities in the school. Before the rehabilitation, the toilets were in dire condition, because ceramic was broken as well as the toilets, and many of them were out of service. The water used to flood in the place because of sewage system problems. The water taps were not sufficient as many of them were broken”.
She added, “We used to stay without water for many days and were not able to clean the place, because we had only one old water tank, which was no longer usable as it dates back to 1979 and it is very old and worn out. It needed welding every once in a while due to holes resulting from the rust in the tank”.
Rezek added, “the school WASH facilities are now in a better condition. Thanks to the new water tank, we no longer have water cuts. Moreover, the number of toilets and water taps is now sufficient for all the students. Due to the newly installed lighting, students in the afternoon shift are now able to use bathrooms without being afraid, especially in the winter as it becomes dark early”.
She concluded, “The students and their parents were very happy with the improvement in the WASH situation. The students are keen to preserve the place as they have experienced the improvement and are feeling comfortable at school”.
