LIBERIA: 25 Schools in Margibi get modern latrines from Living Water Int’l
—As part of World Toilet Day celebration in Liberia- By: WASH R&E “Media” Network – Some twenty-five schools in Margibi County have benefited from modern toilet facilities constructed by Living Water International.
One of the newly dedicated latrine facilities in Margibi, built by Living Water International
The facilities were turned over to the schools Monday at a program marking the official celebration of World Toilet Day in that part of Liberia which was observed under the Theme “Waste Water”.
Speaking in Weala, Margibi County during the indoor program which followed the official dedication of the facilities, the Country Director of Living Water International, Austin Nyaplue indicated that his organization with support from international partners saw the need to provide Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) facilities at those institutions.
Audience at the program
“After our assessments, we sourced founding for the projects in the 25 schools in Margibi County” he indicated.
According to him, Living Water International has helped with water and sanitation projects in the county on grounds that when the people are healthy, the students and residents of the area will freely go about their activities.
Speaking additionally, Mr. Nyaplue said they made it their duty to ensure that health clubs are also established at those benefiting institutions for the schools to see the proper use and maintenance of the projects.
“We have 25 schools with 25 health club members from each school, trained 50 community health workers, and working with district health workers” he added.
The Living Water Boss added that since the commencement of the project in February of this year, he has received cooperation from the County authorities, something he said is welcoming.
Cutting of ribbon to mark the official dedication of the modern latrine facilities
Mr. Nyaplue indicated that his organization will frequently do follow-ups on the projects to make sure they are being used properly, adding that after their observation, schools that will maintain theirs will receive a certificate to encourage others to do same.
November 19 each year has been set aside by the United Nations to be commemorated as ‘World Toilet Day’. Since the 19th was on Sunday, World Toilet Day 2017 was officially observed on Monday, November 20 across Liberia.
The Day was celebrated Monday in Margibi county starting with a street parade by students, county health team, Margibi County Development Superintendent, representatives from the Ministries of Educate, Gender, Environmental Protection Agency, School Authorities and the Living Water International family.
Living Water Int’l Country Director, Austin Nyunplue honored by one of the schools for his efforts on WASH
At the official celebration of the Day, students from benefiting schools read massages and performed dramas intended to teach others about how to properly manage their surroundings, live healthy lives that will prevent them from contracting illnesses caused by open defecation.
Also speaking, the proxy for the guest speaker, Andrew Yancy told the students to make the maximum use of the WASH facilities on their various campuses.
Living Water Int’l Country Director, Austin Nyunplue speaks during the dedication of the latrines
He told them that sicknesses can be prevented and save lives with the rightful usage of those facilities that have been provided to them by Living Water International.
Mr. Yancy further told the students that statistics have shown that 842 thousand lives will be saved if they properly follow WASH tips indicating that lives will be lost if people fail to keep their surroundings clean and make use of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) activities.
He also told the students and all those who attended the program that the best way to keep the project lively is for students of those institutions to take ownership of them and make sure that they are well kept.
