In November 2007, a visit by Lenny Killgallon from Gambian Enterprise identified a desperate need to revamp the toilet block of Bakau Lower Primary School. As you can see from the photo below, the toilets used by 2000 children were of a very low standard. The Cess Pit had blocked up and raw sewage was backing up into the block.
The Cess Pit had backed up to such an extent that is was now threatening the integrity of the rear wall of the toilet block. It desperately needed to be dug out and rebuilt. The inside of the toilet block had faired no better. The sanitary conditions were extremely poor even by Gambian standards. Many children at the school disliked them so much that using the open areas of the school was preferred. This was not acceptable.   The ProjectIn February 2008, Gary Stapleton & Lenny Killgallon returned to Bakau Primary School determined to complete the renovation of the toilet block. Prior to leaving the UK £1350 had been donated by generous friends for the project. With guidance from the Bakau Primary School Headmaster & our local agent Sophie, we hired a builder, a plumber and two labourers and sourced the raw materials needed. The work commenced!     First the pit was dug out and the old floor and pans in the toilet block was removed. With help from the school children the new toilet began to take shape.   After 5 days the toilet block was nearly completed, the cess pit rebuilt, the toilet floors relaid with tiles, and new toilet pans and plumbing installed.   The plumber also installed a tap and hosepipe to allow the children to clean and flush the pipes at the end of each day. All children were introduced to this new practise by the Headmaster. At last the project was completed and was celebrated with a fizzy water wash!  Lenny and Sophie celebrating the completed internals.  Sophie(R) and her son Omar(L) with Jobe and the newly painted toilets. | 
