At Starlight School in Bakau, The Gambia, the situation is dire. The school’s current toilet facilities are crumbling, inadequate, and unsafe. For the 200+ students who rely on these basic amenities, there’s just one toilet per 100 children. The reality is harsh: children are put at risk every day due to the unsanitary conditions. This situation disproportionately affects girls, who often miss school, especially during menstruation, simply because there aren’t proper sanitation facilities.
We need your help to change this. Your donation today can make a lasting impact by helping us build a new, safe, and hygienic toilet block. It’s a small action that can lead to profound changes—improving education, health, and dignity for the children of Starlight School.
Why This Matters
Health and Safety
Poor sanitation isn’t just inconvenient—it’s dangerous. Children are exposed to a heightened risk of preventable diseases like diarrhoea, which is a leading cause of childhood deaths globally. The World Health Organisation estimates that access to proper sanitation can reduce water-related diseases by up to 50%. In our case, the lack of safe toilet facilities puts every child at risk daily.
At Starlight School, the toilet facilities are not only overburdened but also unsanitary. With too few toilets for too many children, keeping these facilities clean and operational becomes nearly impossible. The result is a breeding ground for disease and a daily threat to our students’ well-being.
By building a new toilet block, we can dramatically improve the health of our students. Clean, properly maintained facilities would help reduce the risk of illness, leading to fewer absences and a healthier learning environment overall.
Education
For many children, particularly girls, a lack of proper toilet facilities is a barrier to attending school regularly. Studies have shown that girls are more likely to miss school during their menstrual cycles when there are inadequate facilities. This is not just an issue of hygiene—it’s about giving every child the right to education.
At Starlight School, many girls feel uncomfortable attending school during their periods, simply because there’s no privacy or safe space to manage menstruation. This recurring absenteeism contributes to widening the gender gap in education, with girls falling behind academically or even dropping out entirely.
By building safe, private, and sanitary toilet facilities, we can help eliminate this barrier to education. A new toilet block means that girls can attend school with confidence, ensuring that their education is uninterrupted and their future is brighter.
Dignity
No child should be denied dignity. At Starlight School, children face indignity every day due to the state of the sanitation facilities. It’s easy to take something as simple as a toilet for granted, but for these children, it’s a daily struggle.
The lack of privacy and cleanliness can be humiliating for students, who often face embarrassment due to the state of the facilities. This not only affects their confidence but can also lead to bullying and a negative self-image. Moreover, inadequate facilities send the message that the health and well-being of these children are not a priority.
A new toilet block would restore dignity to every child at Starlight School. With clean, private, and accessible facilities, students can focus on what truly matters—their education and personal growth. Every child deserves to learn in an environment that respects their basic needs.
How You Can Help?
We urgently need to raise £5,000 to build a new, safe, and sanitary toilet block for Starlight School. Every donation, no matter how small, brings us closer to creating a healthy and safe learning environment for these children. Here’s how your contribution can make a difference:
- £10 can provide materials for one toilet seat.
- £25 can fund plumbing fixtures, ensuring a safe water supply for the toilets.
- £100 can help build a complete toilet cubicle.
Imagine the difference a few pounds can make. Your generosity will directly impact over 200 children, giving them the basic right to proper sanitation. These children deserve better, and with your help, we can provide them with the facilities they need to thrive.
Why Act Now?
The reality is that we cannot wait. The children of Starlight School are facing daily health risks and education interruptions that we have the power to fix. Without action, the cycle of absenteeism, illness, and indignity will continue to rob these children of the opportunity for a better future.
This is where you come in. Your donation will help us break this cycle, providing a simple yet essential tool for better health and education: a toilet. It’s easy to forget how much proper sanitation matters, but for these children, it’s life-changing.
Together, we can give them a future where health, safety, and education go hand-in-hand.
What Happens If We Exceed the Target?
If we are fortunate enough to exceed our £5,000 target, every additional pound will be invested in maintaining and improving the school’s infrastructure. This includes regular upkeep of the toilet block to ensure it remains a clean, safe, and functional space for years to come. It may also allow us to address other essential needs at Starlight School, such as improving access to clean water, installing handwashing stations, or building additional classrooms.
Your donation will continue to make a lasting impact, far beyond the construction of the toilet block. Every pound brings us closer to our vision of a safe, dignified, and empowering learning environment for all children at Starlight School.
Join Us in Making a Difference
We need your help to reach our goal. Your donation, however big or small, will make an immediate and lasting difference to the lives of over 200 children at Starlight School.
We’ve made it easy to contribute. Simply scan the QR code below to donate. Your generosity will help us build the safe, clean, and sanitary toilet block that Starlight School desperately needs. Together, we can ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive in a healthy and dignified environment.
