Just a few of the students and teachers at Guede Village High School who are benefiting from recent bathroom renovations.
726 students at Guede Village High School are enjoying brand new bathrooms thanks to a renovation project funded by Altrusa International of Albany, Oregon, Altrusa International of Pendleton, Oregon, Altrusa International Foundation, Inc., and other Andando Donors!
School administrators alerted us to the need to repair two dilapidated bathroom facilities that were non-functioning, which contributed to high absenteeism among students, especially young girls.
Before: The bathrooms were non-functioning, but fortunately, they had solid construction so they could be renovated.
After completely renovating the restrooms, replacing the roof, and applying a fresh coat of paint, students can now use restrooms at school rather than having to go home or elsewhere for their needs.
Before: Much of the interior of the bathrooms needed repair or replacement.
After renovations, a new roof, and a fresh coat of paint, the bathrooms are ready for students to use.
Thankfully, the bathrooms had solid construction so contractors could renovate the existing structure. They evaluated what could be repaired and what needed to be completely replaced. Any broken toilets, light fixtures, or plumbing was replaced. The existing roofs were removed and replaced with brand new metal roofs with an updated design, and both of the buildings got a fresh, bright coat of paint. Access to sanitary bathrooms has a huge impact on students' quality of life and can help increase student attendance and enrollment.
Racky, Student and Communication Officer for the school government
“Thank you for coming to our school and providing assistance, especially with the restrooms. We really needed that because students were leaving the school to go outside to use the bathroom. And it was really risky with the road that crosses the school, the coming and going. It was very risky.
We are truly grateful for your presence. Your hard work and dedication have made a significant impact on us. We are really happy and from the bottom of our hearts, we want our school to be the best of all schools.”
With improved learning facilities, students are happier, healthier, and better equipped for success. Already since the renovation of the bathrooms, student enrollment has increased from 632 to 726! Students and teachers are incredibly grateful for their new bathrooms.
Abdou, Student at Guede Village High School who dreams of becoming a lawyer
“We truly commend you for your support and commitment to ensuring that students learn and have a better future. We want to thank you for the support you've given for the toilets, and the commitment you showed, it warms our hearts for the future, it will make a difference. We are doing our best and thank you.”
Guédé Village High School is strategically located as it serves some of the poorest, most remote villages in the region. It is a vital community resource and bridge for students to overcome intergenerational cycles of poverty. The Ministry of Education has identified Guédé Village High School as a priority because of its role in the holistic development of the region. Renovating the bathrooms is just the first of many substantial infrastructure upgrades they hope to complete over the next two years, including building seven new classrooms, a computer lab, an aquaculture integrated STEM Teaching Garden, and physical education infrastructure and equipment.
Mr. Watt, Principal of Guede Village High School
“Senegal is part of the Global South, where there is underdevelopment and, although there is education, the rate is very low. It's true that efforts are being made, but it's not enough. When these partners come to help us, it positively impacts the quality of learning tools. So, we really thank all the partners who invest, and we call on them to do even more, because we are indeed going to start building more classrooms.”
You can support the students at Guede Village High School as they work hard to further their education and build a brighter future for themselves. Donate today!
