Clean water and toilets are basic rights. They keep us healthy. In Indonesia, many children don’t have access to them. However, a new project is helping. It’s providing improved toilets to 12 schools. This isn’t just about toilets; it’s about teaching children to live clean and healthy lives. This is called PHBS (Clean and Healthy Living Behavior).

Why Clean Toilets Are Important

Toilets and clean water are essential for children. Here’s why:

• Health:  Dirty toilets spread disease. Children can contract diarrhea or cholera, which keeps them from going to school.
• Schools:  Children with clean toilets attend school more often. They perform better in class.
• Girls:  Girls need clean, private toilets. This helps them feel safe, especially during menstruation.

Program PHBS

The Indonesian Ministry of Health created the PHBS program. It teaches children to:

• Washing hands with soap
• Throw garbage in its place
• Maintaining personal hygiene
• Using a clean toilet

This new project in 12 schools is a major step. It helps children learn these habits.

What This Project Does

1. Clean Toilets:  Separate toilets are built for boys and girls. They have handwashing facilities.
2. Cleanliness Lesson:  Teachers learn how to teach children to stay clean.
3. Community Support:  Parents and local residents help keep this project running.
4. Checking Progress:  The project is checked regularly. This ensures the project is successful.

Long-Term Benefits

Teaching children to live clean and healthy has many good effects:

• Less Sickness:  Clean children get sick less often. This helps doctors and hospitals.
• Healthy Habits:  Children who learn PHBS will carry these habits into adulthood.
• Cleaner Places:  Children who throw trash in the right place keep their community clean.

Challenge

There are still some issues:

• Money:  This project requires steady funding to build and keep the toilets clean.
• Changing Habits:  Children and families need time to learn new habits.
• Expanding the Project:  To help more schools, governments, NGOs, and businesses must work together.

Conclusion

This new project in 12 schools is about more than just toilets. It’s about teaching children to live clean and healthy lives. This is a major step towards a healthier Indonesia.

How You Can Help

You can help by donating, speaking out, or getting involved in your community. Everyone can help ensure children have clean water and toilets.