School enrollment improved

School enrollment improved educational institutions within Bunyangabu’s Rubona Sub-County and Rwimi Town Council once struggled with a critical shortage of sanitation facilities, which directly stifled student enrollment. In several instances, a single pit latrine had to be shared by the entire school population—both staff and students—causing many parents to withdraw their children due to safety and privacy concerns. Specific examples include Rubona and Kaburaisoke Hill Primary Schools, where the lack of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) infrastructure became a crisis. At Kaburaisoke Hill, the situation was further complicated by a total lack of clean water onsite, forcing students to lose valuable learning time trekking long distances just to find a water source. In 2024, Jese, with funding from SIMAVI, launched the WASH, Learn and Share project. The project’s aims were: to establish WASH Model Schools resulting in a healthy environment for girls & boys in 9 primary schools; improve WASH conditions at the community level – linking with school initiatives in 18 surrounding communities, and providing sustainable WASH products and services at schools & communities through local government (public) and private sector collaboration

“When Jese came with interventions to our school, all our problems were solved. A new pit latrine was constructed, mobile hand-washing facilities were procured for us, our pupils were trained to make Reusable Sanitary Pads (RUMPs), and liquid soap.”  Ms. Jolly Angella, the Deputy Head Teacher, Rubona Primary School, shared

With the interventions in the two schools, WASH Angels clubs were formed to oversee and promote hygiene at the schools, reducing the expenditure. This motivated the Rwimi Town Council leaders to construct a 2-stance pit latrine in Kaburaisoke Hill, in addition to the four-stance drainable pit latrine constructed by the WASH and Learn project.

” Before the interventions, we would spend 30,000= to procure sanitary pads for our girls. Ever since the training on RUMPs, we make our own, with support from the pupils from primary four to seven.” Shared, Jolly, Rubona

The schools were also introduced to the cost recovery initiative in preparation for sustainability. Key interventions are: Matooke plantations, liquid soap production, making reusable sanitary pads, and vegetable growing. These have supported income generation, and the profits made are loaned to teachers.

Ms. Jolly from Rubona shared that her teachers got loans, and once payment was made, they bought 3 goats and a cow. The goats bought have already produced, bringing the total number of goats to 8. The animals have produced organic manure used to boost the vegetable and matooke gardens.

Showing some of the cost recovery projects in Rubona and Kaburaisoke Hill Primary Schools

While in Kaburaisoke Hill Primary School, their expenditure has reduced ever since the training on liquid and sanitary pad production. Before the training, the school would spend 240,000 per year to procure liquid cleaning for the washrooms and classes. Now, they spend 50,000 shillings to purchase materials for making liquid soap used for the whole year. Shared Ms. Kabugho Zulien, Deputy Head Teacher, Kaburaisoke Hill Primary School. The enrollment in both schools has improved following the different interventions under the WASH, Learn, and Share project. In Rubona, the enrollment improved from 712 in 2024 to 837 pupils with steady attendance. While in Kaburaisoke, the enrollment has improved from 190 pupils in 2024 to 305 in 2026. The school administrators shared a plan to continue with the cost recovery projects to continue practicing the desired behavior and enhance sustainability beyond the project.

 “We plan to produce more liquid soap, sanitary pads, and sell them to other schools and community members to raise more income.” Shared Ms. Kabugho Zulie