Infrastructural problems in schools not only affect academic performance but also affect the rights to safety and health of both learners and teachers. Every child has the capacity to achieve something phenomenal in their lives – poor sanitation should not affect that capacity. Unfortunately, many schools across South Africa still rely on pit toilets, which pose significant health hazards. This is where organizations like Breadline Africa step in.

Founded in 1993, Breadline Africa is a non-profit organization based in South Africa and registered as a charity in the United Kingdom. Initially, the organization aimed to support grassroots development as part of the nation-building process, acknowledging that government resources alone would not be enough. Over time, Breadline Africa shifted its focus from providing grants to enhancing infrastructure at under-resourced pre-schools and primary schools, ensuring that children have the necessary facilities to grow and learn.

The Star Foundation, in partnership with Breadline Africa, will be replacing unsafe pit toilets with safer, flushable toilets in two schools in KwaZulu-Natal.

According to Daily Maverick, the issue of children dying in or from incidents involving pit toilets is a significant problem in South Africa, particularly in rural and underfunded schools. Since 2013, there have been several tragic cases reported. Additionally, other children have died or been severely injured due to the collapse of toilet structures or falling into pit latrines.

Efforts to eradicate pit toilets have faced substantial delays. Despite government promises to replace all pit latrines in schools by 2023, over 3,300 schools still use them as their primary sanitation facilities. These conditions pose severe health risks and safety hazards for young students.

The first school is Mbanjwa Primary School, situated in Pietermaritzburg, which serves 712 learners from the community and surrounding areas. Currently, the school has pit toilets that are unhygienic and tend to fill up during the rainy season, rendering them unusable until emptied. The Star Foundation will be providing 20 hygienic low-flush toilets connected to two 6,000L septic tanks, five waterless urinals, and handwash stations with soap dispensers.

The second school is Crystal Springs Primary in Howick, which serves 401 learners. The school has no supply of municipal water and uses boreholes. There are 11 pit toilets, which are in poor condition, with some missing doors. The Star Foundation, in partnership with Breadline Africa, will provide 16 hygienic low-flush toilets connected to a new 6,000L septic tank, five waterless urinals, and sufficient handwash stations with soap dispensers, like the setup at Mbanjwa Primary School.

In total, the Star Foundation will be donating R1,6 million to this cause.