By Jessica Dogo
Abuja, June 28, 2024 (NAN) A Non- non-governmental organization (NGO) has called on the Federal Government, corporate organizations and well-meaning individuals to assist schools in rural communities with basic amenities, especially toilet facilities.
Christybelle Sylva-John, the Founder of Ray of Hope Empowerment Foundation (RHEF), made the call on Friday while inaugurating a block of four toilets constructed in the Zjidu community, Abuja.
Sylva-John said that schools in rural communities lacked basic amenities such as toilets, adding that open defecation encourages the spread of diseases.
“As we celebrate this milestone, we also call on the government, non-governmenorganizationsions, corporate bodies, and individuals to invest in the well-being of our future generations.
“Creating conducive learning environments is a shared responsibility, and collective support is crucial.
“By working together, we can ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn and thrive in a safe and healthy environment.
“Access to clean and safe sanitation is a fundamental human right and a crucial element for the dignity, health, and well-being of our students,” she said
She said that the lack of adequate toilet facilities in many schools negatively impacted student health, attendance, and overall academic performance.
She said that the foundation was committed to addressing this critical need for rural schools.
The founder said the project was established with the vision of ensuring every student had access to safe and hygienic toilet facilities.
“Today, as we inaugurate this new toilet block, we move closer to making that vision a reality.
“We hope it will contribute to a healthier, safer, and more enjoyable school experience,” she said.
She said that the NGO also engaged in the donation of sanitary pads to the secondary school in the community.
According to her, the reason is to ensure menstrual hygiene management because most times, girls are absent from school due to a lack of sanitary products.
‘When they are in school and their menstruation starts, they have no choice but to go home because they do not have sanitary pads to use at the moment.
“The whole essence is for them to have sanitary pad banks in schools just in case menstruation starts they do not have any reason to go back home,” she said.
Dr Alhasan Sule, the Acting Executive Chairman of, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB), said a child’s education was everybody’s responsibility.
Sule, represented by the Director of School Services, UBEB, Habbiba Aliyu-Barau, commended the RHEF for complementing the efforts to eradicate open defecation in the FCT.
“Education is the responsibility of everybody. The government cannot do it alone. If we all wait for the government, this will not happen.
“We scout for NGOs that will help us. We have several but I must commend Ray of Hope Empowerment Foundation because this is not its first project.
“We have inaugurated many of its projects. RHEF is one of the best partners we have in the FCT UBEB. They have assisted us and have done a lot for us,” she said.
Earlier, the Chief of Zhidu Community, Goni Philip, commended the foundation for embarking on a laudable project in the community.
“I do not know how much to appreciate them for this gesture.
“I urge them to extend it to other community schools that lack such basic facilities within and even outside the FCT,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
