Residents and staff of Lundu Parish Center in Tanzania are the latest beneficiaries of a multi-faceted water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) partnership project between WEFTA and SAWA[1].
The Lundu Parish Center is located in the Nyasa District of Tanzania, and consists of a church, the sisters’ convent, the priests’ compound, nursery and primary schools, and a dispensary providing healthcare services to over 5,000 people in the surrounding communities.
Improvements in the Parish Center include new and refurbished toilet blocks, an expanded water system, and general rehabilitation of multiple structures. The four-stage project, now in its final stage, is humming along on the expected timeline and within budget.
Implementation
In June 2024, implementation of the first stage began with trenching and laying pipelines to the distribution network, construction of the valve chambers and water points, construction of the water intake and fencing, and pipe pressure testing.
The construction of a raised 20 cubic meter block tank, complete with plumbing and external plastering and painting was constructed during stage 2. Pipe from the spring intake to the tank, spanning 4200 meters, has been laid. Additionally, the distribution network is now in operation.
New toilet blocks that include one and two-stance latrines at the church, dispensary, schools, priest’s house and the sisters’ convent were constructed. Stance latrines serve as both toilets and bathrooms and their sanitation consists of septic tanks and soak away pits. Ceramic handwashing basins in these latrines will help ensure the durability and sustainability of these facilities. Wall and floor tiles were also installed to enhance sturdiness and cleanliness. Additionally, an incinerator, ash pit, and placenta pit were constructed at the dispensary in accordance with national standards.
Rehabilitation efforts focused on the dispensary’s delivery room were completed during stage 3 of the project and included 18 installed ceramic handwashing stations at all points of care delivering clean water. The primary and nursery schools received numerous plumbing and maintenance upgrades, as well.
The final stage
The final stage of this 4-stage WASH improvements project will include reconstruction of the priests’ house fencing in addition to construction of new toilets for the primary school teachers and reconstruction of the girls’ toilet at the primary school.
WEFTA is proud of its successful collaboration with SAWA, benefiting so many in Lundu Parish Center. We look forward to reporting on the fourth-stage completion!
Check out the photo journal of project progress:
[1] SAWA is Sanitation and Water Action, a non-governmental organization founded in 2009 with the aim of promoting and ensuring sustainable sanitation, hygiene, and water supply services throughout Tanzania.