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The Restroom Problem in Pinit
Pinit Elementary School is a public school located in the farming barangay of Pinit in the heart of Ligao, Albay, Philippines. “The lives of the people in Pinit revolve around rice and coconut farming using the irrigation system that runs through the barangay,” said Fernando E. M u r i l l o, Pr i n c i p a l o f Pi n i t Elementary School. “Some families wash their utensils and bathe in the irrigation. Some children, including our students use it as a restroom. Due to the inconsistent water system in the barangay, most restrooms in the school are nonfunctional. |
“Students then do their business every where, even in the irrigation,” said Jocelyn V. Pontejos, Grade 5 teacher. “Having a restroom with its own septic system will help our students learn proper hygienic practices.”
“Most of our students come from families below the poverty line,” added Murillo. “Some of them were not taught hygienic practices at home. We wish to change that here in school, but we lack the resources.” Finding Solutions Passionate to find a solution, Max Moncur, Wiley Rupp, Jakob Van Boerum, and Ammon Haymond, returned missionaries |
for the LDS church who served their mission in the Philippines spearheaded the restroom project in Pinit Elementary School.
“I was assigned in Ligao during my two-year mission for the LDS church,” said Moncur. “When I heard that the elementary school in Pinit needed a restroom, I called my friends and started planning for a trip back to the Philippines to build one.” Max informed Van Boerum, Haymond, and Rupp about his plans and the three were on board with the prospect of returning to the Philippines and serving. 
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Blessings of a Functional Restroom
The restroom in Pinit Elementary School will be finished on the 2nd week of June.
“ The rest room will tremendously benefit our students. It will promote cleanliness. This in turn promotes health as boys and girls will have designated restrooms for their needs.
Diseases and germs will be prevented,” said Harry Isaac F. Sadia, Grade III teacher. “Ensuring the students’ health ensures that they get quality education.”
Once finished, the communal restrooms
The restroom in Pinit Elementary School will be finished on the 2nd week of June.
“ The rest room will tremendously benefit our students. It will promote cleanliness. This in turn promotes health as boys and girls will have designated restrooms for their needs.
Diseases and germs will be prevented,” said Harry Isaac F. Sadia, Grade III teacher. “Ensuring the students’ health ensures that they get quality education.”
Once finished, the communal restrooms
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“We started our own fundraising at first,” said Ammon Haymond. “We held a concert for a cause, bake sales, and garage sales. We had our families help us raise funds.”
Max and his team then asked IHHELPP for assistance through Rene Doria and Paul Staples who willingly supported their plan. EDUCO and Trekking for Kids, nonprofit organizations, also supported Max’s fundraising efforts. Starting the project Apollo Tabelisma o f S a n Clemente, Tarlac was appointed |
team leader for the project. Tabelisma and his dedicated team built IHHELPP’s pilot Compressed Earth Blocks (CEB) project for the Mabuhay Deseret Clinic (former De Venecia Eye Clinic) in San Fabian, Pangasinan.
“This project in Pinit is our second project to date,” said Tabelisma. “I traveled with five of the best from my team from Tarlac to Bicol to do this project. We are very grateful for the opportunity.” The team began the construction in the 2nd week of April. Max’s team arrived shortly to assist in the construction. |
will serve more than 300 students, teachers and parents.
“I am grateful for IHHELPP, EDUCO and for Max, Wiley, Jakob, and Ammon for making this project possible,” said Murillo. “Having a functional restroom will help our students learn hygienic habits they can bring home.” |
