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The remains of the old toilet block at Mwendapole Nursery and Primary School, Kibaha. (PHOTO Courtesy). |
By The Respondent Reporter
In a quiet but urgent appeal, internationally acclaimed model and founder of the Miriam Odemba Foundation (MOF), Miriam Odemba, is calling on Tanzanians to unite in support of an infrastructure rescue mission for Mwendapole Primary School in Kibaha District.
The school, like many others in peri-urban Tanzania, has endured years of infrastructural neglect—an issue that disproportionately affects girls, often driving them out of classrooms when hygiene needs cannot be met with dignity.
Now, Odemba is hoping to rally the public behind a plan to construct over 14 new toilets and rehabilitate an additional 22 units, bringing the total to 36 functional toilet facilities, along with improvements to other key infrastructure.
The effort, she says, is part of a broader commitment by her foundation to reduce education inequality, particularly for girls.
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| With thousands of students enrolled, the school faces a serious health risk as pupils continue to use dilapidated toilet facilities with broken and unsafe holes. |
“Some of these students have never known what it feels like to study in a safe, clean environment,” Odemba told The Respondent. “We’re not just building toilets. We’re restoring hope, dignity and the right to learn.”
Although the financial target has not been disclosed, the foundation is encouraging contributions as modest as Tshs 1,000, through mobile money or direct bank deposits. “There is no donation too small,” she said. “This is a national duty.”
The call comes at a time when data from various education reports continue to highlight the link between poor sanitation and high dropout rates among adolescent girls—especially in rural and underserved areas.
“This is not charity. It’s social justice,” said Odemba, noting that the initiative goes hand-in-hand with MOF’s broader work in talent development, creative arts, and gender empowerment.
Contributions can be made via mobile number 0749 808073, where the name MIRIAM ODEMBA FOUNDATION will appear, or via NBC Bank, Account Number 011172000038.
“We believe in unity. And we believe change is possible—when we come together,” she said.
As the new school year approaches, the hope is that by building better facilities, more girls will stay in school, learn with dignity, and see a future beyond the limits their current environment has imposed.