Promoting a clean and safe learning environment through Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)

There is excitement in the air as students and their teachers wait to welcome the Japanese Ambassador to Papua New Guinea, His Excellency Nobuyuki Watanabe and UNICEF Country Representative, Claudes Kamenga who were there to launch  the school’s new toilets and WASH facilities.

It was the day that they had been waiting for! Students did not want to miss the chance of catching a glimpse of the  partners who made it possible for them to have new toilets and WASH facilities installed in their school.

These Grade 6 and 7 girls tried to remain calm and not let their excitement get out of control as they waited for the launch ceremony to begin.

Much to the delight of everyone, The Japanese Ambassador to PNG, His Excellency Nobuyuki Watanaba and UNICEF Country Representative Dr Claudes Kamenga cut the ribbon to mark the launch of the toilets and WASH facilities

‘In efforts towards ensuring students have proper WASH facilties during COVID-19, this is the path we are taking and we have made progress towards promoting sanitary and healthy situation in schools through the great support of our partners like UNICEF,’ said His Execellency Nobuyuki Watanabe.

Students, teachers, parents and visitors inspect the new toilet facilities. Parents are happy that their children now have good toilets at school.

‘Despite the very difficult condition and challenges the community is faced with, I commend the community for their collaboration and hard work for working together with us in making this possible,’ said Dr Kamenga, UNICEF Representative.

Grade 8 student, Boio Gari, was full of smiles as she interacted with UNICEF Representative, Claudes Kamenga.

‘I am happy that we have new toilets, it is clean and safe, it makes our school more conducive for us,’ she said.

Head girl of Boregaina Primary school and grade 8 student, Rowen Gawi, couldn’t be happier and thanked partners for the generous support to their school.

‘I am thankful to the Government of Japan and UNICEF for giving the students the opportunity to have access to clean water and safe toilets. We now have toilets that are accessible by all students, tap stands with clean and safe water to wash our hands and drink. I assure you all that we will take good care of these sanitation facilities so that our younger brothers and sisters in elementary school and those in the village can continue to use it in the years to come,’ she said.