School Toilet Project
Building Bathrooms for Better Learning
Our goal is to ensure that students in rural and remote areas have access to clean, comfortable, and safe bathroom facilities, creating an environment conducive to quality education. Having clean and safe toilets can significantly boost school enrollment and reduce the spread of diseases, enabling students to attend regularly and receive a quality education. As more children become educated, the entire community benefits and prospers.
Background
In rural areas of Cambodia, where many schools are located, the lack of access to clean and functional toilets is a prevalent issue. Many schools struggle to provide adequate toilet facilities for their students, resulting in unhygienic and unsafe conditions. The buildings are often old, poorly constructed, and suffer from a lack of maintenance. Broken doors, leaky roofs, and crumbling walls are common features, making the toilets uninviting and uncomfortable for students to use.
Inside the toilets, the situation is equally disheartening. The lack of proper plumbing systems and running water means that students often have to fetch water from nearby sources, such as wells or taps located far away from the toilets. This not only creates inconvenience but also poses health risks as the water may not be clean or safe for consumption.
Furthermore, the absence of proper sanitation infrastructure makes it challenging to maintain cleanliness and hygiene. The toilets are frequently clogged, and the absence of proper waste disposal mechanisms leads to unpleasant odors and unhygienic conditions. This can have detrimental effects on the overall health and well-being of the students, potentially leading to the spread of diseases.
Many students, especially girls, face difficulties in managing their menstrual hygiene due to the lack of private and clean spaces. This often leads to absenteeism and a negative impact on their educational progress.
Central Challenge
The inadequate provision of toilet facilities in schools across Cambodia is a pressing issue that negatively impacts the health, hygiene, and overall well-being of students. In Cambodia, a significant number of schools, especially those located in rural areas, face a critical lack of access to proper toilet facilities. Many schools either have insufficient toilets or no toilets at all, leaving students with limited options for maintaining their hygiene needs throughout the day. This lack of adequate sanitation facilities poses numerous challenges and consequences.
The absence of proper toilets compromises students’ health and hygiene. Without access to clean and functional toilets, students are more susceptible to diseases and infections caused by poor sanitation practices. Inadequate hand washing facilities further exacerbate the problem, as students are unable to maintain proper hand hygiene, which is crucial for preventing the spread of diseases.
The lack of school toilets affects students’ dignity and privacy. The absence of private and gender-segregated toilets forces students to resort to open defecation or find secluded spots, which can be embarrassing, unsafe, and undignified, particularly for female students. This situation further perpetuates gender inequalities and hampers female students’ attendance and participation in school.
In addition, the inadequate provision of toilet facilities contributes to decreased school attendance and hinders educational outcomes. Students, especially girls, may be reluctant to attend school regularly due to the lack of appropriate facilities to manage their menstrual hygiene. This leads to increased absenteeism and negatively impacts their educational progress and opportunities.
Furthermore, the absence of functional toilets in schools hampers the creation of a conducive learning environment. Unhygienic conditions and the lack of sanitation infrastructure may result in unpleasant odors, unclean surroundings, and general discomfort that affects students’ concentration and overall academic performance.
Project Description
Since 2019, Kamboo Project has constructed toilet facilities in 14 schools, each equipped with urinals and designed for ease of use. The buildings are comfortable, safe, and feature separate sections for female and male students.
School Demographic Information
Kamboo Project works for several districts northwest of Phnom Penh, the capital city, in the province of Siem Reap.
Budget
Here is the detailed budget for a toilet facility at one school. Building a four-room toilet facility with two urinals requires a budget of approximately $4,000.
| No. | Description | Piece | Unit price | Amount | Total | $4,004 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Foundation (flooring) | 1 | $183 | $183 |
| 2 | Brick wall foundation | 1 | $105 | $105 |
| 3 | Beam foundation | 1 | $212 | $212 |
| 4 | Concrete | 1 | $245 | $245 |
| 5 | Pillar construction | 1 | $110 | $110 |
| 6 | Wall construction | 1 | $539 | $539 |
| 7 | Roof | 1 | $260 | $260 |
| 8 | Plastering | 1 | $260 | $260 |
| 9 | Painting | 1 | $158 | $158 |
| 10 | Floor tiles | $66 | $66 | |
| 11 | Doors | $395 | $395 | |
| 12 | Ramps | 5 | $40 | $200 |
| 13 | Labor | 22 | $44 | $968 |
| 14 | Toilet & ring tank | 1 | $303 | $303 |
Support Kamboo Project
Join us in supporting the education of children in rural areas by contributing to this important cause.