On purpose I escaped the 113th National Day celebration just to spend my day upgrading an old, unused toilet at Zhemgang Central School (ZCS) with a SATO pan, as a gift to our girls on the day.
Perhaps, the Bhutan Toilet Organization (BTO), has their hand in this project providing free SATO pan, training and educating me grossly on sanitation.
The toilet—a damaged aqua-privy—had been abandoned for years. I had noticed it long ago, but without the right resources, all I could do was hold onto the hope that one day I would be able to change it. Each time I made my rounds to check on toilet cleanliness, a quiet sense of guilt lingered, knowing this one remained unchanged, despite having raised the issue with school management.
Eventually, I took it upon myself. I spent a long, cold and exhausting half-day working alone in the girls’ toilet, an unusual space for a man, but I did it with purpose and pride. I played music as I worked, not just to keep my spirits up, but to avoid awkward surprises.
Though it was chilly, I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of the effort. I was doing it for our girls and for the greater cause of nation-building. On such a special day, there’s nothing more fulfilling than changing the face of an old toilet pot, and adding up one more safe toilet space for our girls.
I have always felt deeply committed to helping our girls feel secure and valued. Beyond science lessons, I take time to talk to them about the importance of financial independence for women and girls.
Today, toilets are slowly gaining the attention they deserve across the country. The shift is happening. It shows how essential sanitation is for everyone. Yet in schools, the need for safe and sufficient toilets is even more urgent.
From my experience working with various organizations to improve sanitation and access to clean drinking water, I know that change is slow which is held back by limited resources, outdated infrastructure and deep-rooted mindsets. But I also see signs of progress, however small.
One major challenge is what I call the mentality mania. The belief that quality facilities are only necessary once a child reaches adulthood, which I feel needs an immediate change.
We must begin providing quality resources and environments for our children right from home and in school, so they grow into responsible, confident citizens.
How can we expect our children to thrive when they are surrounded by broken classrooms, cracked walls, shattered windows and dysfunctional toilets?
Until we prioritize safe, functional and engaging school environments, we will continue to face challenges stemming from outdated mindsets and neglected infrastructure.
With this small change—a new SATO pan—I hope our girls will now have a cleaner, safer and more dignified toilet experience.
Thank you BTO for sharing my dream project!
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