Work is continuing at Volobe Sud Primary School in Madagascar, where our partner SEED Madagascar is delivering a major programme of improvements to create a safer, healthier and more resilient learning environment for students.

The project includes the repair of the existing school, construction of a new fully furnished three-classroom building, onsite teacher accommodation, improved water and sanitation facilities, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) education, and wider community sustainability initiatives.

Construction progress

The new latrine block has moved forward, with the concrete pit floor slab now complete. This gives the facility a secure, sturdy base to safely contain waste.

With the slab in place, the team has moved on to building the above-ground walls and will spend the coming month completing those walls and fitting the roof.

There has also been significant progress on the new three-classroom school building. The roof is now fully installed, including anti-cyclone concrete guttering and wooden support beams designed to help the building withstand the region’s extreme weather.

With just the roof edging left to finish, the team has already started building the windows and doors ahead of installation.

Supporting health and hygiene

Alongside the construction work, the project continues to focus on improving health and hygiene practices within the school community.

SEED’s WASH Officer will return to Volobe to deliver refresher training on handwashing, latrine use, water treatment and latrine maintenance, as well as begin menstrual hygiene management (MHM) training.

These sessions will build on the original training already delivered to students and will also include those who were unable to take part the first time.

The wider project will also provide improved sanitation facilities, a 10,000-litre rainwater harvesting system with drinking and handwashing stations, and dedicated facilities to support menstrual hygiene management.

The latest progress marks another important step towards creating a school environment that is better equipped to support students’ learning, health and wellbeing.