For years, Hogarth Primary school in Gwembe District of Southern Province struggled with a silent but serious issue—lack of proper sanitation facilities. Each week, 3 to 4 girls would miss school due to inadequate and unsafe ablution facilities, especially during their menstrual periods. The discomfort, lack of privacy, and unhygienic conditions made it almost impossible for many girls to attend regularly. Alongside the absenteeism, the school also battled frequent cases of waterborne diseases such as dysentery and intestinal worm infections, putting both students’ health and academic performance at risk.
That all changed with the construction of a modern ablution block.
This simple yet transformative infrastructure investment has brought remarkable improvements. Girls now have a safe, clean, and private space to manage their hygiene with dignity—removing one of the major barriers to their education. Today, absenteeism due to sanitation challenges has dropped dramatically. It’s now rare for any child to miss school unless due to other unrelated illnesses.
Even more encouraging, the school now reports zero cases of waterborne or hygiene-related illnesses. The children are healthier, the classrooms are fuller, and the focus has shifted back to learning and growth.
Thank you to our supporting partner GLASSCO Foundation for the new ablution block at Hogarth School, it is more than just bricks and mortar—it is a beacon of dignity, health, and hope. It stands as a testament to how targeted, thoughtful interventions can change lives and futures, one child at a time.
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