In October 2017, Mukwashi Trust School broke ground on a Secondary School facility at their campus in Lusaka West, Zambia. The new school building was completed earlier this year with funds raised by Bridges of Peace and Hope Clubs and Supporters around the world. You can see a video of the ceremony and construction process here.
The first class of Secondary School students has already moved in – but there is more work to be done. Mukwashi Trust School needs a new sanitation block to serve a growing student population. In Zambia’s schools, there is an average of one toilet for every 124 pupils. Lack of sanitation facilities adversely affects adolescent girls – who can miss up to 20% of their school year due to lack of lavatory services.
500 million girls around the world lack facilities to manage their periods. This contributes to gender inequality and disempowerment on every level. Improved hygiene decreases disease, increases school performance, and allows for economic growth. The data on school completion in Zambia shows that only 65% of girls complete school as compared to 78% of boys.
Bridges of Peace and Hope is working to close that gap and keep our students at Mukwashi Trust School in the classroom. In May, Bridges of Peace and Hope Supporters in Connecticut and Vienna held movie screenings to raise money for the new sanitation block.
In Bethel, CT the community gathered for a screening of “Girl Rising” a documentary that follows nine girls from Haiti, Nepal, Ethiopia, India, Egypt, Peru, Cambodia, Sierra Leone, and Afghanistan on their journey to education. The film is an impassioned plea for female empowerment throughout the world. The screening was held in anticipation and celebration of Mother’s Day, over $500 was raised for the cause.
At the American International School in Vienna, Movies for Mukwashi has become a celebrated tradition. The Bridges of Peace and Hope Club and the Student Council soldtickets, popcorn, and baked goods before their film screening and raised 1437,93 Euros!
Fundraising for the Mukwashi Sanitation Block is ongoing. New sanitation infrastructure is essential to our female students as access to these facilities will allow them to manage their health needs on campus and keep them in school full time. Though many more fundraisers will need to be held to sponsor the Sanitation Initiative, Bridges of Peace and Hope is committed to raising funds and awareness throughout the world!
