By Richard Ames | GVI India Project Manager
Dear Supporter,
Towards the end of 2015, we finally began construction on a brand new block of toilets at St Louis school.
Here is the background:
The boys and girls toilet blocks at the school are in an unsuitable state, both structurally and hygienically, and are not fit for use. The sisters at the school have stopped the children from using them due to concern for the children’s health and safety. This has caused the children to go to the toilet in the open, and in the last week, it has been reported that the girls are suffering from urinary tract infections.
The current condition of the toilets is largely due to poor construction in the first instance. The ground they are built on is prone to flooding during monsoon season, and adequate foundations were not built on a suitable sub-base. The flat roof is also prone to water build up and this along with the weight of the structure has caused subsidence. The ceiling slab does not seem to have adequate reinforcing and has, over time, sagged. The weight of the water tanks at one end has caused uplift of the slab and the subsidence has contributed to substantial cracking at one end of the structure.
This cracking throughout the structure means that the clay waste pipes are also likely to be cracking, so waste is not going to he cesspit. The cesspit is also likely to be subsiding all of which means waste is soaking into the ground below the structure contributing even more to the subsidence.
New toilet blocks for the boys and, especially, more facilities for the girls, need to be built as soon as possible.
Staff and volunteers here in Cochin are all extremely concerned about this situation and the children’s health and safety.
GVI met up with a local contractor on site recently to get an indication of budget and initial design proposal from him based on his local experience of building in these conditions. We will also get alternative quotes and weigh up our options once we have all of the facts.
The new structure(s) would ideally include pile foundations with an adequately reinforced concrete slab base finishing higher above ground level than the last structure. The cess tank would also require better reinforcment. Plastic rather than clay waste pipes would also be advised.
Ideally, the boys toilet will incorporate a stainless steel urinal and be tiled throughout allowing for better cleaning, hygiene and maintenance and to avoid waste going on walls and floors. This is presently evident in both the boys and girls toilet blocks. The girl’s new toilet block should also have more than the present two facilities.
In order to try and keep costs low we are hoping that the contractors will be able to use leftover materials from previous projects, at a reduced rate. We will also be actively approaching local companies who manufacture and supply sanitary ware, plumbing, tiles and water and cess tanks to potentially acquire ex-stock, returns or with slight faults free of charge or reduced prices.
GVI will be managing the project, undertaking works and involving construction volunteers in all aspects of the build from start to finish reducing labour costs wherever possible.
Time is clearly of the essence and the sooner we can achieve completion the better it will be for the children of St. Louis School.
We look forward to bringing you news of our progress!
With Gratitude,
GVI India
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By Kate Robey | Charitable Trust Operations Manager
By Kate Robey | Charitable Trust Operations Manager
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