MARK Duell for the Mail-On-Line on the 21st, February 2017, reported on how a toilet block at a school in Gambia came to be named and dedicated to the notorious Rochdale MP, Simon Danczuk. Below John Walker covers the story as it has developed.
April 2017 Newsletter: Getting bogged down in toilet matters:
As we reported in our newsletter of October last year (see here), following a some dealings with Simon Danczuk, the MP for Rochdale over the last few years, we decided to name a toilet block in the senior secondary school after him.
The ceremony was covered by the Mail-On-Line (see here for full details and below for some of it) in February this year, and we reproduce, below some of their extensive coverage.
We are delighted to say that these facilities are now up and running and much appreciated by the staff and students, alike, at Sohm Senior Secondary school.
Ok, we'll leave out the endless puns.
We are pleased to report that we "sold" the story to the Mail-On-line, through a news agency and that money received will help us fix more school toilets in the village.
We are pleased to report that we "sold" the story to the Mail-On-line, through a news agency and that money received will help us fix more school toilets in the village.
For the coming year, the Lower Basic school in the village has asked us to refurbish their toilets - for boys, girls and staff. The photos tell their own story of how much this restoration is needed. These three tiny blocks provide toilets for over 400 students and 25 staff.
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| This year's funding project |
They are clearly insanitary and, until March this year, were nowhere near running water.
The concrete bases of the blocks have cracked and the ground underneath the blocks are home to snakes - particularly in the rainy season in the country (summer and autumn), with the result that many pupils and staff, alike, refuse to use them.
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| Roof and doors blown off during rainy season |
The school's request for assistance is modest. We are committed to working in partnership with our colleagues from Jersey to: restore and recent the concrete bases and erect new doors and roofs, where necessary.
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| Girls' toilet - snakes nest below the concrete slab. 200 girls only toilet at the school |
Fortunately, because of a water supply project the Jersey Overseas Aid Commission has funded, a new standpipe was erected close to these outside toilet blocks in March this year, to try and address some of the sanitary issues associated with them.
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| Roofless staff toilets |
Given the success of the naming of the Simon Danczuk block, we would look sympathetically on bids to rename any of these three blocks after other people, in return for a suitable donation.
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| Water now running near toilets, for better sanitation |
We will of course be willing to supply photographs of the unveiling of the appropriately named facilities to any sponsor. Just contact us at: John@SohmSchoolSupport.org.uk if you are interested in this nomination facility!
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| Whose name would you like to adorn this fine facility - when renovated, of course! |
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