Better schools for children in the Solomons!

Our project to turn 46 seriously dilapidated schools into safe and welcoming places is making great progress:

• So far, a total of 1,357 children from 9 schools are enjoying 14 renovated classrooms, 10 toilets, 10 water taps, 10 newly installed water tanks and 5 repaired water systems.
• Another 13 schools are very nearly complete, with final touches being made over the next few weeks.
• By the end of this year, another 24 schools will be completed.

So by the end of 2011, 5,400 school students in 46 schools will have safe, bright and functional classrooms.

Become part of this life-changing project: donate now using the form on the right.

Gareth and Jo Morgan have been generous contributors to this fantastic project. Jo says: ''It's a completely different thing when you visit these places, meet the people and look into their eyes. When you understand how a contribution can make such a huge difference to those kids, you can't help but want to help.''

Here's what we're doing:

• Repairing and upgrading 46 primary schools - demolishing unsafe classrooms and building new ones;
• Providing safe drinking water;
• Introducing solar panel energy;
• Building/improving dormitories and teacher accommodation;
• Building proper toilets for boys and girls.
• Making the schools Child-Friendly, meaning that they will follow high teaching standards.

building a better future for everyone

The benefits of education are powerful and profound, many and varied. Educating children reduces poverty and promotes gender equality. It reduces sickness and death rates, and promotes concern for the environment.

And while children are the main beneficiaries of our work, the whole community benefits too.  For example, when children learn about the importance of clean water, good nutrition and hygiene at school, they take the lessons home to share.

The effect is multiplied, improving the health and living standards of their family, and ultimately, their wider community.

Safe water, toilets and sustainable power

We're not only making classrooms structurally sound, we're also bringing clean water, good sanitation and sustainably-produced power.

By repairing and constructing water pumps, children now have clean drinking water at school, and can wash their hands after using the toilet. Their health improves dramatically.

Before we begun this project, children were using the lagoons and bush when they wanted to go to the toilet. Now, they're learning how to use toilets and improving their hygiene behaviour. This not only reduces sickness and boosts school attendance, but helps girls who have reached puberty feel comfortable at school.

Schools are being fitted with solar panels so that kids can do their homework in the dark evenings, and so that community meetings and adult classes can take place.

Please join us: donate now using the form on the right.

find out more

Gareth blogs about his visit to the Solomon Islands.
Gareth and Jo Morgan on TV3 Sunrise.