IRC's podcast series WASH Talk shares ideas on changes the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector has to make in order to contribute to achieving universal access by 2030. To do so speakers from all over the world are given a voice in this podcast series. Find out more on www.ircwash.org/washtalk. These are the shownotes of the WASH Talk episode with Linda Lilian of Simavi Uganda and Machtelt Oudenhuijzen of Football for Water. They talk about the WASH in Schools projects they are involved in and the solutions and challenges they face around sustainability of facilities in schools. Listen to the full podcast on soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/ircwash/wash-talk-eo-20-wash-in-schools-with-linda-lilian-and-machtelt-oudenhuijzen

1. Supporting water sanitation
and hygiene services for life
October 2018
WASH Talk Podcast
Episode 20: WASH in
Schools
with Linda Lilian from Simavi
Uganda
and
Machtelt Oudenhuijzen from
Aqua for All

2. Introduction
− The importance of WASH in Schools has been globally recognised by its
inclusion in the SDG targets 4.a, 6.1 and 6.2. WASH coverage in schools is
not adequate. In Sub-Saharan Africa, 53% of schools have limited drinking
water services, 14% have limited sanitation services and 21% have basic
hygiene services.
− In this episode, we talk about sustainability of WASH in schools and how the
sector can contribute towards the sustainable development goals related to
WASH in schools.
− Linda Lilian is with Simavi Uganda, an international NGO working toward
basic health for all, and concentrating significant efforts towards WASH.
They're leading a 3-year WASH in Schools programme called WASH &
Learn!
− Machtelt Oudenhuijzen leads Football for Water on behalf of Aqua for All.
WASH TALK PODCAST EPISODE 20: WASH IN SCHOOLS

3. How do you work with schools to ensure
WASH infrastructure is available?
− WASH & Learn! has been working with 34 schools. The school and
community contributes 50/50 which ensures there's buy-in from the
schools which supports sustainability. Contributions can be in kind or
cash.
− In the Football for Water programme, they start with what the school
can do for themselves, which gives the commitment from local
stakeholders to maintain the facility. A good design means one that
is easy to clean and safe.
− Many schools want the newest design, which are normally high
water demand. So they advise on an appropriate design which is
easy to clean, affordable for schools and safe for children.
WASH TALK PODCAST EPISODE 20: WASH IN SCHOOLS

4. How can schools get out of the disrepair trap?
− Training schools in operation and maintenance is necessary, but ensuring
they have the right motivation is key.
− Training parents, the community, school children and school leadership on
O&M planning is essential, which includes coming up with creative cost
recovery solutions.
− Income generating activities with WASH & Learn! have included secretarial
services, charging the community to use the toilets, farming activities,
among others.
− They also lead the school stakeholders through a risk assessment process
to help them anticipate and plan for what could go wrong in the future.
− They also train in lobbying local government, enlisting support from local
leaders, to advocate for funds to be allocated to the school for WASH.
− Some schools try to setup PPPs with local businesses to sponsor school
WASH facilities
WASH TALK PODCAST EPISODE 20: WASH IN SCHOOLS

5. How do you ensure consistently good WASH
behaviour?
− Behaviour change by the key stakeholders, not just the children, is
important to ensure sustainable impact for children.
− Football for Water uses play and the discipline of sports to create
new hygiene habits, that are reinforced through life skills training.
− The SDGs requires handwashing facilities to have soap and water
available. In Uganda, schools and communities are trained, via
CLTS programmes, in making liquid soap.
− Bar soaps are usually stolen, so they use liquid soap, made from
washing powder (Omo) mixed with water.
WASH TALK PODCAST EPISODE 20: WASH IN SCHOOLS

6. Your next steps…
− Review these resources:
− Visit the WASH in Schools website to check out the latest
resources, and share learning from other sources, so it becomes
the one-stop-shop for WASH in Schools:
https://www.washinschools.info/
− Visit the Football for WASH website to learn about their approach:
https://footballforwater.org/our-approach/
− Listen at https://www.ircwash.org/washtalk or on
https://soundcloud.com/
− Add to the discussion by using the hashtag #WASHTalk on Twitter,
or in the comments on Facebook
WASH TALK PODCAST EPISODE 20: WASH IN SCHOOLS

7. Visiting address
Bezuidenhoutseweg 2
2594 AV The Hague
The Netherlands
Postal address
P.O. BOX 82327
2508 EH The Hague
The Netherlands
T +31 70 3044000
info@ircwash.org
www.ircwash.org
Supporting water sanitation
and hygiene services for life