Transformative Success: Well-being Upgrade with New Toilets

Just a year ago, 16-year-old Bernadete faced significant challenges at her school, where there were no accessible toilets. Students, including Bernadete, had to resort to open areas for their basic needs, creating discomfort and safety concerns, particularly for young girls. Additionally, their community grappled with high levels of domestic violence, especially psychological and physical abuse.

In response to these pressing issues, World Vision, through the APVEL program generously funded by World Vision Korea and New Zealand, initiated a life-changing project. They successfully installed toilets in six schools, benefiting 1,849 students, including 986 girls and 863 boys.

Reflecting on the past, Bernadete shared her struggles: "We had a big problem due to a lack of toilets. I was struggling with myself when I needed to go; I would go into the bush." The community actively participated in physically building the toilets, with crucial support from World Vision, providing materials such as cement, toilet supplies, and even food. The facilities were thoughtfully designed with separate toilets for boys and girls.

Interestingly, despite the positive changes, some communities still cling to traditional practices of using open spaces instead of having toilets in their homes. Recognising the importance of awareness, World Vision's area manager, Irim Tolentino, emphasised the need to educate communities, especially schools, about the significance of providing proper sanitation facilities for students. Teachers and parents enthusiastically joined World Vision in this endeavor, demonstrating a collective commitment to their children's well-being.

Meanwhile, Bernadete, a talented and intelligent young girl, found a voice through her love for writing and reading poetry. She seized the opportunity to present her own poem during the APVEL closing project. "I use poems to carry messages to others and motivate my friends in my school," she shared.

Her poem conveyed powerful messages, encouraging her peers not to give up on learning, emphasising that knowledge and experience empower one to overcome challenges and pursue their dreams.

Bernadete's poem vividly depicted the struggles children faced, not only as a message but also as a description of their daily experiences—enduring hunger and thirst during school hours. She passionately urged her friends not to squander opportunities and to remember the times when they had to fight against diseases, viruses, and hunger in school, emphasising that education is the key to realising their dreams.

Today, thanks to the transformative efforts of World Vision, Bernadete and her fellow students can feel safe and dignified with toilets at their school. No longer do they need to hold back or run home due to circumstances, marking a significant improvement in their overall well-being and providing a foundation for a brighter future.