Renovation works of the first building (1964)

Background

Nowadays, the Sacred Heart High School of NDjamena has 4 buildings for school purposes and 1 building for the RSCJ community. When RSCJ arrived in Chad in 1964, there were only two of these buildings, one for teaching and one for the community.

The two original buildings have never had any renovation works since their construction but some repairs were made following the wars. The 1964 school building was in a dilapidated state. Termites destroyed wooden doors and windows. Pollution, from the nearby main road, and desert sandstorms eroded the building walls. Because doors and windows are damaged and do not close, dust settles permanently in the classroom and creates an unhealthy atmosphere for the health of our students and teachers.

The good maintenance of the place where pupils attend their lessons is an important part of the teaching. Providing decent school premises to pupils is essential to help them concentrate for their lessons. Cleanliness of the premises also limits diseases/infection spreading and renovated buildings increase childrens security and comfort. Wellbeing at school enables learning.

Objective

To increase the wellbeing of the pupils of 3^rd and 4^th grade of the Sacred Heart School of NDjamena.

Activities

Activities of renovation took place during the students' three-month summer holiday in 2014.

Renovation of 7 classrooms
Renovation of 1 computer room
Renovation of 1 multimedia room
Renovation of flight of stairs
Renovation of corridors

Outcomes

Pupils have learnt to care and respect common places.
Decrease in respiratory diseases and allergies.
Improved quality of work of teachers.
Children caring for their common environment.
Achieved 100% success for exam classes. We are ranked first in the BAC Success Stories at the end of the 2014-2015 school year.

Extra comments :

Risks: Shortage of raw materials (cement, iron, etc.) from neighboring countries if borders are closed. This is caused by rebellions or the Boko Haram sect.
Event: the renovation matched the 50th anniversary of arrival of the RSCJ in Chad.