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Ismaili community hands over sanitary facilities to schools
The Vice President of the Ismaili National Council of Tanzania, Mr Nazir Thawer, presents a sample of keys to Dar es Salaam City director Jomari Satura (left) at the event presenting contemporary toilets to Muhimbili Primary School and the United Nations, which were provided by the Ismaili community. PHOTO | SUNDAY GEORGE
What you need to know:
- The newly renovated sanitary facilities, which include water pumps, drainage systems, toilets, and other washing facilities, were handed over to Muhimbili Primary School and Umoja wa Taifa Primary School at Upanga in Dar es Salaam.
Dar es Salaam. The Shia Ismaili Muslim Community of Dar es Salaam handed over 51 sanitary facilities to two schools yesterday after completing refurbishment and beautification work.
The newly renovated sanitary facilities, which include water pumps, drainage systems, toilets, and other washing facilities, were handed over to Muhimbili Primary School and Umoja wa Taifa Primary School at Upanga in Dar es Salaam.
The support was done under the umbrella of the Ismaili Civic Tanzania Initiative, a global programme under which the Shia Ismaili Muslim community across the world unites around its centuries-old tradition of serving humanity by rendering voluntary service to improve the quality of life of the communities in which they live, regardless of faith, gender, and background.
More than 2,000 students now have access to good sanitary facilities, including the disabled.
The community also built a room where it’s easy for female students to change their sanitary pads.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, head of the Ismaili Civic Tanzania Aga Khan National Council, Reshma Bharmal Shariff, explained that since the launch of the initiative in Tanzania in 2021, their journey has been on environmental stewardship, entwined with a series of impactful actions across Tanzania.
“From revitalising schools to cleansing public spaces, we have created a lasting imprint. That year, we rallied for uplifting the areas and communities in which we live, and the Muhimbili Primary School was one of those initiatives,” said Ms Shariff.
“Today, as we gather on the grounds of the Muhimbili Primary School, we support over 2,000 students across both schools by planting trees and beautifying the school through clean-ups and painting. The second stage included the renovation of the school’s sanitary facilities to support the students’ hygiene and health while attending school,” she added.
The executive director of the city of Dar es Salaam, Mr Jomaary Mrisho Satura, appreciated what Ismaili Civic has done for the citizens. “
As an executive, it’s my responsibility to address these sanitary problems, but when you find the right people who show their help, then it’s an honour to appreciate what they have done in our city,” he said.
The principal of Umoja wa Mataifa Primary School, Mr Woindumi Siyao, said the renovation at the school will help avoid epidemic diseases that were lurking among the students.
“The toilet vent system was dangerous for students. In 2021, the Ismaili CIVIC institution visited our school to improve the environment and plant trees. Later in 2022, they were touched by the bad condition of the toilets and decided to do a major renovation of the toilets that had never been done since 1948. Our toilets have become completely modern, even for students with special needs,” he said.
