Date: Monday, July 7, 2025
Location: Orozo District, Kurudu, Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), FCT
Implementing Partner: Dicta Care Initiative

In Collaboration With:

• Permanent Mission of Nigeria to ECOWAS
• West Africa Health Organisation
• Federal Ministry of Health

Project Overview

The WASH-PRO Project (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene for Girls) is a regional initiative focused on improving access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities in public schools. With a strong emphasis on menstrual hygiene management, the project supports the health, dignity, and school attendance of adolescent girls in underserved communities.

Introduction

As part of early-stage consultations, a community entry and stakeholder engagement visit was conducted in Kpeyegyi Community, Orozo District, Kurudu, Abuja. The visit served as a formal introduction of the WASH-PRO Project to community stakeholders and provided an opportunity to build trust, encourage participation, and align expectations for implementation.

This engagement was carried out collaboratively by key institutional partners and Dicta Care Initiative, the implementing organization supporting project delivery at the local level.

Engagement Highlights

Purpose of the Visit

The visit aimed to:

• Introduce the WASH-PRO Project to the community
• Seek community support and participation
• Assess readiness for implementation
• Identify priority areas for intervention
• Discuss sustainability and protection of project infrastructure

Stakeholder Participation

The engagement brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including:

• Representatives of partner organizations
• Community leaders and traditional authorities
• School representatives and education stakeholders
• Women leaders and community members

The inclusive nature of the meeting ensured that multiple perspectives were considered, particularly those of women and girls who are central to the project’s impact.

Community Engagement and Dialogue

Discussions during the meeting emphasized collaboration, ownership, and long-term sustainability. The project team highlighted the importance of working closely with the community to design solutions that are both practical and culturally appropriate.

A representative of the implementing organization noted:

“This project is not just about infrastructure—it is about creating lasting change through partnership with the community.”

Project Focus Areas

The WASH-PRO Project will focus on:

• Improving access to clean and safe water
• Upgrading sanitation facilities in schools
• Promoting hygiene education
• Supporting menstrual hygiene management for girls

These interventions are designed to create a safer and more supportive learning environment, especially for adolescent girls.

Community Response

The community expressed strong support for the project and demonstrated a willingness to collaborate throughout implementation. Key stakeholders emphasized the importance of maintaining and protecting project facilities to ensure long-term benefits.

There was also a shared understanding of the need for improved hygiene infrastructure and its impact on education, particularly for girls.

Site Observation

Following the engagement, a visit was made to the local junior secondary school to observe existing facilities and identify areas for improvement. The visit provided valuable insights into current conditions and helped inform the next phase of project planning.

Conclusion

The community entry visit marked an important step in establishing a strong foundation for the WASH-PRO Project. Through open dialogue, mutual respect, and active participation, the engagement successfully built trust and secured community buy-in.

As the project moves into implementation, continued collaboration with local stakeholders will remain central to achieving sustainable impact, ensuring that improved water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities contribute meaningfully to the well-being and education of young girls.