Lukonyi Boys primary school in Busia town is in dire need of financial assistance after heavy rains destroyed its ten pit latrines leaving over 1500 learners with only four toilets to use. The school Deputy Headteacher Mr. John Osiako told West Media that although the school board of management is putting up temporary latrines, they need funds to build more lasting toilets, “We have been hit by tragedy where our ten latrines sank due to heavy rains. Although the school board of management has come in to put up a temporary structure, but we need a long term solution and we are appealing to the government and well wishers to help us raise funds so that we can build modern toilets.”
Apart from the destroyed latrines, the flash toilets that exist in the school have been rendered unusable due to blockage that occurs occasionally at the main sewer system that passes in the school compound, “When it blocks, the sewage flows back to the toilets and overflow into the school compound. This makes it impossible to use the toilets and also expose the children and teachers to cholera related diseases.” Mr. Osiako has therefore appealed to the County government of Busia to work on the sewer system to enable the sewage to flow to the intended place.