By Christian Appleton
Harper, Maryland County – Arise from Ashes (AFA), a non-governmental organization, has successfully completed an impactful project aimed at improving hygiene and water access at Our Lady of Fatima Elementary and Senior High Schools.
The initiative has brought significant enhancements, including the installation of a water tower, the provision of water poly tanks, and the introduction of a modern electrical water system at both schools.
The project also focused on revitalizing the schools’ toilet facilities, with thorough cleaning and painting, alongside the replacement of the old commodes. These upgrades are part of an ongoing effort to ensure the schools provide a cleaner, safer, and healthier environment for students and staff alike.
The Executive Director of Arise from Ashes, Emily E. Erskine, shared that the project was born out of a pressing need to improve hygiene in schools, beginning with Our Lady of Fatima schools. For years, the schools lacked running water, and the use of manual water-fetching systems for the toilets led to delays, discomfort, and an overall lack of opportunity for students. This situation, Erskine said, was both embarrassing and impractical, especially when students were forced to leave the campus in their uniforms to fetch water.
“We decided to carry out this project to ensure the students have access to proper facilities that would enable them to use the toilets in a comfortable, clean, and safe environment,” said Erskine.
The goal, she emphasized, was to promote good hygiene practices in the school environment, which would later translate to healthier and more effective learning experiences for the students.
Erskine explained that the project began with the proposal to One Percent, an international donor organization, for support. Despite several challenges, including the school’s location on a hill that made the installation of a running water system difficult, the initiative eventually came to fruition after nine months of persistent work. Several attempts to install water systems failed due to the rocky terrain, but a breakthrough came when the team negotiated access to a nearby private well in Bassa, a neighboring community. This well now provides the water used at the school
Community involvement played a crucial role in the success of the project. Local community leaders, including the chairperson and elders, collaborated with the NGO, ensuring the project’s completion.
The project has brought substantial improvements to both schools. Fatima Senior High now boasts a 500-gallon politank, while the elementary school has a 300-gallon politank. With the new water tower and system in place, students will no longer need to leave the school to fetch water, a situation that often disrupted their studies and caused embarrassment.
“We are incredibly grateful for the support provided by Arise from Ashes. This initiative has significantly improved the living conditions for our students and staff,” said Mr. Boniface J.B. Dalieh, Principal of Our Lady of Fatima High School. He added that the clean, painted toilets, along with the operational water system, promote health and hygiene while fostering a better learning environment. The reconditioned community well has also been a game-changer for local residents, ensuring a sustainable water supply for the entire area.
Gloria N. Harmon, a 12th-grade student at the high school, expressed her joy at the improvements. “We are excited to see how the improvements to the toilets and the community well will make life easier for everyone around here. This project means a lot to us, and we are thankful for the people who made it happen,” she said, recalling how students used to leave the school campus to fetch water, often facing humiliation and even wet uniforms.
Mr. Roosevelt T. Shannon, Secretary of the Bassa Community, spoke on behalf of the local residents, saying, “The work done by Arise from Ashes has truly transformed our community. Access to clean water was once a challenge, but now we have a reliable system that provides fresh water. We’re also grateful for the clean, painted toilets, which are essential for sanitation. This initiative not only benefits the school but everyone here.”
The submersible pump provided by Arise from Ashes will be used by the community to prevent the well from opening, ensuring the safety of children who would otherwise risk falling into the well while drawing water.
As part of the project’s sustainability plan, Arise from Ashes has trained a team of school staff members to manage and maintain the newly installed water system and facilities. The school administration will be responsible for the upkeep of these facilities, ensuring that the improvements continue to benefit students for years to come.
Arise from Ashes (AFA) continues its mission to provide quality training and skills development to underprivileged youth, helping them to build self-esteem, autonomy, and social integration.
The total cost of the project was between $10,000 and $15,000 USD, funded by their donors in Europe, including One Percent of the United Nations. The completion of the project marks a milestone in the ongoing effort to improve conditions in Maryland County’s educational institutions and surrounding communities.
Arise From Ashes (AFA) is a non-governmental organization that provides young, underprivileged, and street youth with high-demand training and skill development programs. Their mission is to empower individuals to achieve autonomy, self-esteem, and social integration, ultimately contributing to the betterment of their communities.
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