Alerts Sign-up
The Villa Virginia School in District 3 of Montero, Bolivia, recently celebrated the addition of two new restroom facilities. This development is part of a broader school sanitation initiative led by the local government with substantial contributions from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and UNICEF.
The project comprises 15 restroom modules that will serve 12,264 students across various public schools in the Montero area. Deliveries commenced on April 14, 2025, and are set to continue through May. This effort aims to enhance hygiene and sanitation conditions in public schools significantly.
An inauguration ceremony for the project was attended by Montero’s mayor, Regys Medina; Elder Marco A. Quezada, an Area Seventy of the Church of Jesus Christ; and Carolina Carias, UNICEF’s Head of Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Bolivia.
The newly constructed school bathrooms replace outdated infrastructure while emphasizing environmental sustainability and universal accessibility. Features include rainwater harvesting systems, solar panels, motion-sensor LED lighting, and water-saving faucets. Spaces dedicated to menstrual hygiene have also been created to support dignity and ongoing school attendance for girls and adolescents.
“Today, we deliver more than bathrooms — we deliver dignity, health and opportunities for our children,” said Mayor Regys Medina. “These modules are an investment in social justice and a model of how collaboration can change lives.”
Carolina Carias highlighted the impact of such collaborations on children's lives: “We are proud that these facilities represent resilience, efficiency and equity.”
Elder Quezada expressed his sentiments: “As members of the Church, we strive to follow the example of Jesus Christ by caring for our neighbors and protecting our children. We know that God loves them and that this project will have a positive impact on their lives. We are honored to be part of this transformation.”
The event featured a ceremony involving students, teachers, parents, as well as a tour of the new facilities. This initiative aligns with Bolivia’s national goal to ensure universal access to water, sanitation, and hygiene in schools with support from UNICEF Bolivia.
UNICEF and The Church of Jesus Christ reaffirmed their commitment to fostering dignified, safe, and sustainable school environments for every child and adolescent in Bolivia.
