Church of Jesus Christ Donates Modern Washroom Facility to Secondary School in Hastings, Sierra Leone

On 5 September 2023, the Kelly Urban Vocational Agricultural Secondary School in Hastings, Sierra Leone, unveiled a newly constructed, state-of-the-art washroom facility, thanks to the generous support of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The project was initiated when the Kelly Urban School recognized the pressing need for improved sanitary facilities to benefit its students and staff. Determined to make this vision a reality, the school approached the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for sponsorship, and the Church readily agreed to provide the funding.

The modern toilet facility, equipped with state-of-the-art amenities and designed to accommodate the needs of students and staff, represents a significant improvement in sanitation at the school. “The facility meets the highest standards of hygiene and functionality,” said Sahr Doe, who represented the construction company, SahrFeima Construction, that built the washroom facilities.

 A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to mark the official handover of the facility. School officials, representatives from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and representatives from the community participated in the donation celebration.

Community elder, Reverend Claudius, the former principal of The Kelly Urban Vocational Agricultural Secondary School in Hastings, shared his thoughts on the project's significance. "Access to proper sanitation facilities is a basic necessity for every school. This facility will not only improve the student's quality of life but also promote a healthy and conducive learning environment," he remarked.  “We are so grateful to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for their commitment to our community.”

The Principal of Kelly Urban Vocational Agricultural Secondary School, Mr. Coker, expressed his gratitude, stating, "This toilet facility is a testament to the power of collaboration and the commitment of individuals and organizations to support education. It will greatly improve the quality of life for our students and staff."

One of the senior secondary school students, Fatmata Jalloh, couldn't hide her excitement. "We used to struggle with inadequate and unsanitary facilities. Now, thanks to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have a modern toilet that is clean and safe to use. This will make our school life so much better."

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints emphasized its commitment to humanitarian efforts worldwide, with this project reflecting its dedication to supporting education and community development. Elder Locke Ettiger and Sister Carol Sue Ettiger, representing the Church said, “What a wonderful day. Completion of a latrine at a local school that provides the facilities for health and well-being. Girls can stay in school even during menstruation! The general contractor Sahr Doe, with unique abilities despite quadriplegia, ensured the quality of the project, and Saidu Tharanka, with Cerebral Palsy, monitored the work each day. What a great team to complete such an impactful project. Thanks to all those who made this donation possible.”

The collaborative efforts between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and SahrFeima Construction stand as a testament to the positive impact that can be achieved when organizations and individuals come together for the betterment of their community. The new modern toilet facility is not just a structure; it represents hope, progress, and a commitment to improving education in Sierra Leone.