On Aug 20, Manila Water Foundation (MWF), together wth GMA Kapuso Foundation, inaugurated hygiene facilities for Tudturan Elementary School in Infanta, Quezon and Batangan Elementary School in Gen. Nakar, Quezon that will benefit more than 600 students, faculty and staff in both schools. This is under MWF’s Lingap program.
For Ms. Editha Bustonera, Principal of Tudturan Elementary School, the donated 5-faucet hygiene facility is not only a place for washing and toothbrushing, but it can actually help improve the over-all health of their student population. “Ang impact nyan sa pag aaral ng mga bata ay sila ay malalayo sa karamdaman… (Kami ay ) napaka blessed kasi ang mga bata ay magiging malinis na sa kanilang katawan, hindi lamang sa kamay, kundi sa kanilang ngipin…sa kanilang pangangatawan.” [The impact on the students’ education is big. Students will now be protected from illnesses. We are blessed because the children will learn how to be clean with not just their hands and teeth but with their entire body.]
Student leader, Modaf Ramirez attests to the lack of facility for proper hygiene. “Actually hindi po kame laging naghuhugas ng kamay basta na lang kame kain tuwing recess. Pero mula nung dumating po (kayo) dito…nakakapaghugas na po kame ng kamay, nakakapag tootbrush [We actually don’t wash our hands, we just straight away eat our food during recess. But ever since the facility was installed, we have started washing our hands and brusing our teeth.] Modaf knows that this will help them become healthier. Hindi ka na po (kame) magkakasakit.” [We will no longer get sick.]
In Batangan Elementary schools, the Lingap facility came at the right time because the school has a feeding program. Prinicipal Mayla Vicencio said that it will complement their nutrition program because the children can wash their hands before and after eating which will have better health gains for the students. “Noon…umiigib lang yung mga bata doon sa gripo namin doon tapos naghuhugas lang sila sa planggana, Eh ngayon, malaking bagay ito…pipila lang sila dun para makapaghugas sila, (tapos) derecho na sila sa feeding room para makakain na sila.Pagkalabas nila dun, makakapag hugas na ulit sila ng mga kamay. Lahat ng mga mag aaral naming na 304 na mga bata, makikinabang, from kinder to Grade 6.” [Before, the children will just get water from a sole faucet and wash their hands in a basin. Now, they just need to line up at the facility and they can already wash their hands. After that, they can already go straight to the feeding room to eat. Afterwards, they can again wash their hands. All our 304 students here from Kinder to Grade 6 will benefit.]
The Lingap facilities were donated in partnership with GMAK’s school rehabilitation program.The hygiene facility will surely go a long way in keeping all the students in the two schools healthy and maintain a clean lifestyle.
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