Sawaya Village Primary School is one of a kind—a “uniquely TCD” school that has over 300 children learning in an open field, 5 days a week, with no classroom nor school desks. Through a collaborative effort, Thereza, the Transformational Community Development (TCD) worker, and the community made the school work, despite all odds.

Recently, Thereza played host to a team of four TCD stalwarts, Martins, Babalola, Absalah, and Haisam. The community was delirious with joy as they welcomed the team. Many locals gave Babalola a warm embrace and thanked him again for helping them build the first and only Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) latrine in the village. School kids queued up to shake GHNI’s Regional Field Leader Martins’ hand and to express appreciation for the opportunity TCD gave them to be educated and also for efforts geared towards the construction of a classroom block so they can have a roof over their heads as they learn.

Thereza showed Martins and the team the school and residence construction sites, the VIP latrine, the failing borehole, and irrigated vegetable gardens. The village chief, the man of peace, and the entire community, while being thankful for a transformed Sawaya Village, are hopeful that they will soon celebrate a furnished classroom block, a functional borehole, and many more successes.

Thank you!

Written by Shade, GHNI Assistant Regional Field Leader