Stories from the Field: CFSI’s WASH in Schools Project Provides Access to Clean Water Supply

Along the coast of Barangay Kalanganan 2, fronting the Sultan Haji Hassanal Masjid, is the Timako Hill. While the Timako Hill is frequented as it is one of the two elevated areas in Cotabato City whose trees are preserved and protected, and home to various species of animals, at its foot is an elementary school that caters to 97 learners (49 boys and 48 girls), who are enrolled in various levels from kindergarten to sixth grade. Established in 1964 as a primary school, the school currently functions as an elementary school with four (4) teaching staff and one (1) school head. Prior to 2017, the school had no access to safe water supply or electricity connection, and could only be reached via “bangka.”

Among the four teaching staff is 28 year-old Ricky Carolasan. Mr. Carolasan or “Sir Ricky,” as he is often called by the community members and students, started teaching in Timako Elementary School in June 2014. He handles both the fifth and sixth grade classes. In 2016, after having noticed that the school children were drinking water from the river, Mr. Carolasan began bringing to school a 20-litre gallon of tap water that students and faculty could use for both drinking and cooking. Despite this, he knew that the supply of clean water was not enough. He needed more containers that would allow him to bring a larger amount of water to the school everyday.

Mr. Carolasan shared with the CFSI staff his worry that the school’s limited budget is unable to cover the purchase of more water containers, thus leaving the members of the school community with a lack of access to clean water, and forcing them to continue the use of water from the river. CFSI, through its Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) in Schools (WinS) Project, and in collaboration with the Office of Health Services (OHS) of the Cotabato City Government provided 15 water jugs and a hundred boxes of water purifier tablets (aquatabs) to the Timako Elementary School through the help of Mr. Francisco Papa, Sanitation Officer from OHS. Upon receipt of the water containers, Mr. Carolasan could not help but be delighted. He expressed his gratitude for the enhanced WASH facilities of the school.

“Now I won’t have to worry anymore” he said. “I hoped for five water jugs, but instead received an extra ten. This is more than enough for our children and teachers. The aquatabs are also a bonus as we can use this to sanitate the river water and wash our clothes.” Mr. Carolasan referred to the water containers as jugs of hope as it has helped provide the community members of the Timako Elementary School with a clean supply of water, and in effect promote their health and overall physical and mental being.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

— Lorelie Panganiban