23/10/2025

Project Update: Transforming Health and Education in Niger

Building Brighter Futures Through Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene

In Niger, the Oxfam-led WASH project, supported by Ahmad Tea, continues to make a profound impact on schools and communities. With less than half the rural population having access to safe drinking water, and girls facing additional barriers due to a lack of menstrual hygiene facilities, this initiative is changing lives by improving health, education, and gender equality.

The project addresses critical challenges: high absenteeism, poor academic performance, and dropout rates, especially among girls, caused by poor WASH conditions and cultural stigma around menstruation.

Key Achievements (October 2024 – March 2025)

1. Sustainable Access to Water and Hygiene

Rehabilitation of 3 boreholes exceeding community standards
Construction of 4 latrine blocks adapted for menstrual hygiene management
Distribution of hundreds of hygiene kits (handwashing stations, reusable cups, bins) across four schools
Establishment of 4 School Health Clubs with 48 student hygiene champions
Training for 25 teachers and 12 parents on menstrual hygiene management
Training for 68 students and supervisors in hygiene best practice and infrastructure maintenance

2. Empowering Students and Communities

Health clubs promote hygiene, wellbeing, and open dialogue, challenging taboos and fostering leadership
Hygiene kits and WASH equipment have improved health, school attendance, and community impact
Students now lead sanitation sessions, awareness campaigns, and peer education, extending benefits beyond the school gates

Voices from the Project

Hamadou Yacouba Hamadou, Sargane School Director

“The arrival of this project has really changed our daily lives. We now have a modern, girl-friendly latrine, with a space specifically designed for menstrual hygiene management. We have also received hygiene kits, which has significantly improved our living and hygiene conditions. Health risks have decreased as students have been trained in hygiene and sanitation, and two of our female supervisors have also been trained in these essential practices. We are deeply satisfied with this program and would like to congratulate everyone involved. We express our sincere gratitude to Oxfam and its funding partner for their valuable support.”

Roumanatou Adamou Alhassane, Vice-President, Abdou Ousmane School Health Club

“Before the arrival of the project, our establishment only had mixed latrines, which were unsuitable for our specific needs, which generated the risk of infections. We didn’t even have kettles or hygiene kits to keep clean. Thanks to this project, we now have separate latrines for girls, which are perfectly adapted to our needs, which has greatly improved our hygiene conditions. Raising awareness about the importance of hygiene and sanitation was a real turning point for us.”

Ibrahim Sidi, President of the Sargane School Health Club

“Thanks to this project, we have been equipped with latrines and hygiene kits, which has considerably improved the sanitary conditions of the school. This equipment will now allow us to effectively carry out sanitation sessions and hygiene awareness activities. We also plan to hold debates and Q&A sessions with students to strengthen understanding of good hygiene practices and promote responsible behaviour within our school community.”

What’s Next?

Training seamstresses in the manufacture of sanitary napkins
Further implementation of School Health Club activities
Raising awareness among students in menstrual hygiene management

These next steps will continue to build on the project’s achievements, ensuring lasting change for students and communities in Niger.

This progress is a testament to the resilience of Niger’s communities and the commitment of everyone involved. Together, we are building healthier schools, empowering girls, and creating brighter futures.