From bushes to brilliance: How clean water and safe sanitation gave Koensim girls a future

Koensim M/A Primary and Junior High School in the Oti Region faced many challenges. These issues kept many children, especially girls, out of school.

However, Plan International Ghana made a significant change. Enrollment rose from 79 students to 224 in just two years.

The school lacked proper sanitation facilities and clean water. Many families prioritized fetching water over education.

**The Struggles of the Past**

Before the intervention, conditions were dire at Koensim M/A. The school had no toilets, forcing students to go into the bush.

Girls faced risks of infections and snake bites. They often skipped school during menstruation due to no private changing space.

Headmaster Mr. Benoni Nyasorgbor described the situation as heartbreaking. “Teenage girls would stay home for days each month,” he said. Parents were reluctant to send their children to school because of these issues.

Students also walked nearly two hours for water before class. This left them exhausted and affected their attendance and concentration.

**A Game-Changing Intervention**

Plan International Ghana recognized the urgent need for change. They launched the Integrated Package for Sustainable Development (I-PADEV) project.

The organization worked with the community to build gender-friendly latrines with separate sections for boys and girls. They also created a dedicated changing room for female students during menstruation.

This led to improved attendance, especially among girls who could now attend classes without fear of embarrassment.

To address the water crisis, Plan International Ghana constructed a borehole. This provided a consistent supply of clean water for students and the community.

“Now we have toilets and water,” said student Adjei Naomi. “We stay in school, we learn, and we don’t miss lessons anymore.”

**Education Beyond Infrastructure**

The intervention included more than just sanitation and water access. Plan International Ghana also focused on providing quality learning materials.

With Ghana’s new curriculum, Koensim M/A struggled to access textbooks. Teachers had to travel far to download materials online.

Thanks to support from Plan International Ghana, the school now has enough textbooks and teaching resources. This has made classroom instruction more effective.

The investment paid off when Koensim M/A presented its first batch of students for the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) in 2023. The pass rate was 70%, which increased to 90% by 2024.

**A Model for Sustainable Development**

Koensim M/A's transformation shows how targeted interventions can create opportunities. The once-struggling school is now a beacon of progress.

Access to clean water and proper sanitation is essential for education and empowerment.

As Ghana works toward achieving Sustainable Development Goals, Koensim’s story highlights how community partnerships can change lives—one student at a time.