Stories of #GoodChange
Better Life for Girls: WASH
After a devastating typhoon damaged homes and school facilities in a remote coastal community in Eastern Samar, access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene became a real barrier to education, especially for adolescent girls.
Through our Better Life for Girls program, Good Neighbours Australia worked with Good Neighbors Philippines to improve school sanitation, strengthen menstrual hygiene management (MHM) and build community awareness, so girls can stay healthy and remain at school.
IN PHOTO: A student using one of the classroom toilets built at the secondary school in Guiuan, Eastern Samar in the Philippines
Rebuilding facilities, restoring hope
Thanks to the support of donors in Australia, the project achieved the following infrastructure, education and health outcomes:
- Six girl‑friendly toilets built at a high school, improving privacy, safety and dignity
- 173 girls and mothers supported with menstrual health education and period resources
- 12 teachers trained to support menstrual health and adolescent wellbeing at school
- A youth‑led WASH School Advocate Club formed, empowering students to lead peer‑to‑peer learning
- 1,500 community members reached through radio messages and local advocacy to improve awareness and reduce stigma
- Girls learned how to care for their health and make reusable sanitary pads, building confidence, skills and sustainability. Teachers reported increased knowledge and comfort in supporting students, while mothers and daughters shared learning at home, extending the impact well beyond the classroom.
IN PHOTOS: Capacity building workshops for youth and teachers on menstrual and reproductive health
Why this matters
Access to safe toilets and menstrual health education is closely linked to girls’ education, school attendance and long‑term wellbeing. By combining WASH infrastructure with training and community engagement, this project helped remove barriers that often keep girls from school.
Read the full report
The full Better Life for Girls: WASH Project Report shares detailed outcomes, case stories and lessons learned from the project. Read on to learn how WASH programs can create lasting change for girls and their communities in the Philippines.
Ready to Make a Difference?
Consider giving a recurring donation today and support girls to dream of a brighter tomorrow. Visit https://gnau.kindful.com/ or learn more about the program at the Better Life for Girls page.
Help make a Better Life for Girls. That’s what good neighbours are for.
