200 elementary students living at a garbage dump in Mexico City are using a worn out latrine as their only sanitation with no place to wash their hands . This is a dangerous health and safety issue. We will build new separate latrines for boys and girls with a wash station and running water for cleanliness. The latrines will be safe and private and will also be available for the community. A generous donor has provided 1/2 of the US $2000 cost. We want to raise the remaining US $1000.
Over ten years ago a small community center and school were built on the site of a private garbage dump near Mexico City where families lived and worked together sorting garbage. The center and school have grown and now up to 200 children attend classes as least part time. The original composting latrine is worn out and inadequate. There is no place for hand washing and the children are often sick with diarrhea from contaminated hands. Girls do not feel safe using the latrines.
Over the years we have helped repair and maintain the schools latrine, but it is now time to replace it with a new one. With your help we will build four new larger, safer latrines for the students. There will be separate stalls for both boys and girls with locking doors, lighting and ventilation. There will be a place to wash hands with running water. The latrines will also be available for the community to use.
Diarrheal disease due to fecal contamination is a major problem where there is inadequate sanitation. Students who have to use a latrine without hand washing ability get sick and spread disease to others. They miss school and do not grow properly. Girls will not attend school if there is no safe place to to use the toilet. By building a new latrines students will be healthier and will stay in school longer. Girls will attend when they feel safe. 200 children's lives will be better.
