To address the reliance on unsanitary and unsafe pit latrines at Masihambisane ECD Centre, Hytec South Africa partnered with environmental sanitation systems company Envirosan to build suitable structures for the school.
The new facilities at the school in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, ensure that the 67 young children (aged between one and six years old) as well as the three staff members, have access to safe and hygienic sanitation facilities.
“There was a dire need for a dignified and sustainable sanitation solution for the children and staff,” says Freddie Kühn, General Manager, Hytec South Africa.
Education is a central focus for socio-economic development at Hytec South Africa, with the company actively monitoring the facilities of the schools and projects it supports. “The lack of adequate sanitation facilities at these schools is often highlighted as a major concern for the health and safety of the learners and staff. Hygienic and safe sanitation infrastructures are a vital element of human development, especially in schools and childhood centres,” says Kühn.
The installations included four precast concrete toilet structures equipped with child-friendly EaziFlush™ low-flush systems, a 2 500-litre septic tank with a modular soak-away, a 2 700-litre handwash station featuring self-cleaning taps, and a rainwater harvesting system.
Hytec South Africa provided the financial support for the construction and Envirosan covered additional costs that arose during construction.
Prior to the construction learners were using two potties on a cement slab where waste was collected and disposed of. Additional units were precariously positioned over a compromised concrete base slab and pit. This posed a significant safety hazard, particularly for young children.
The unsafe pit latrines will be d
ecommissioned by removing structures, sealing the pits with concrete slabs, and clearing all debris from the site. Materials will be disposed of responsibly, ensuring safety, cleanliness, and environmental compliance throughout the process.
“Access to safe and hygienic sanitation facilities is a basic human right. The alarming reality and numerous distressing stories about children and pit latrines have led to an urgent call for change. We need to create a significant improvement in the lives of these children and enhance their school experiences,” says Kühn.
He concludes saying that the Masihambisane ECD Centre is just one of many educational facilities in South Africa that depend on unsafe pit latrines for sanitation. Looking ahead, Hytec South Africa, in collaboration with Envirosan, aims to provide more of these safe and sustainable sanitation solutions to schools and early childhood development centres in rural areas.
