Libreville, the capital of Gabon, is blessed with blue waters and abundant natural beauty. In recent years, the government and local authorities have undertaken various initiatives to improve sanitation and living conditions in response to rapid urbanization and population growth. However, inadequate infrastructure, limited budgets, and other challenges continue to hinder efforts to address sanitation issues affecting residents’ daily lives.
Schools face similar difficulties. Insufficient operating budgets have resulted in waste accumulating on school grounds and aging facilities falling into disrepair, putting children’s health and safety at risk.
WeLoveU members visited the municipal office of Libreville’s 2nd District to discuss environmental concerns at local schools with Richard Obiang Ava, Mayor of Libreville’s 2nd District. Expressing his hope that the initiative would provide practical support for children in the community, the mayor requested assistance for two public primary schools in the district: Sotega Public Primary School (École Publique de Sotega) and Martine Oulabou Public Primary School (École Publique Martine Oulabou).
WeLoveU members promptly visited both schools and found conditions far worse than expected. Plastic bottles and other waste had accumulated throughout the school grounds, in restrooms, and around washing areas, creating unsanitary conditions. Smoke and foul odors from burning waste behind the school buildings also posed health risks to the children.
The sanitation facilities were also in disrepair. Restroom walls and doors were severely damaged, and nearly all the faucets at the washbasins were broken. Classrooms also lacked adequate lighting, leaving children squinting as they studied in dimly lit rooms.
“Sanitation is the biggest problem at our school. With nowhere to dispose of waste, we have no choice but to burn it. This not only pollutes the environment but also poses health risks to both students and teachers. Our restroom facilities are also in very poor condition. We urgently need help to provide the children with a basic level of sanitation and safety.”
Lombardo Espédie Franchel Ndong, Teacher, Martine Oulabou Public Primary School
“Our classrooms are so dark that it is hard to study. We really need brighter lighting. I also wish the school could be clean, with all the trash removed.”
Student, Sotega Public Primary School
🔎 Assessing School Sanitation and Environmental Challenges and Developing Tailored Solutions
| Identified Challenges | Proposed Solutions |
|---|---|
| Accumulated Waste and Deteriorating Sanitation and Learning Conditions – Foul odors from burning waste – Increased risk of illness due to deteriorating sanitation facilities and inadequate maintenance |
Renovation of Aging School Facilities and Environmental Cleanup – Establish a regular waste collection system in cooperation with the 2nd District Municipal Office – Clean sanitation facilities and school grounds, and repair or replace aging and damaged infrastructure |
| Limited Environmental Awareness and Practices – Limited opportunities for students to learn proper waste disposal and hygiene practices |
Interactive Environmental Education for Students – Provide Clean WORLD Movement education using visual materials – Help students develop environmental awareness through active participation – Conduct cleanup activities with students and school staff |
| Poorly Lit and Deteriorating Learning Environments – Classes held in dark classrooms due to broken lights and insufficient lighting |
Comprehensive Lighting Repairs and Replacement – Replace lighting in classrooms and outside school buildings to create brighter and safer learning environments |
Improving Sanitation and Learning Environments at Public Primary Schools
From August 24 to October 7, WeLoveU carried out facility repairs and cleanup activities at the two schools to create safer, cleaner, and more comfortable learning environments.
Working with Moudjengou Géna, Principal of Martine Oulabou Public Primary School, and Louembet Felician, Principal of Sotega Public Primary School, WeLoveU worked out detailed schedules for the project and provided environmental education for students and school staff. WeLoveU also carried out Clean WORLD Movement activities to help create cleaner and more pleasant school environments.
Through the environmental education sessions, students and staff learned about the importance of protecting the environment, disposing of waste properly, and maintaining good hygiene. They then put on gloves, grabbed trash bags, and made their way across the school grounds, picking up plastic bottles and other waste and thoroughly cleaning areas that had been left untended.
Beads of sweat formed on the children’s foreheads as they picked up litter, but their smiles were brighter than ever.
💫 Expected Benefits of Creating Cleaner and Safer Learning Environments
| 🧼 Improved Health and Sanitation |
Improving unsanitary conditions in and around restrooms and preventing pest infestations and foul odors to better protect the health and safety of students and school staff |
| 🧹 Greater Environmental Awareness |
Fostering a sustainable school culture in which students take the initiative to keep their surroundings clean and take action to protect the environment |
| 🏫 Improved Learning Conditions |
Replacing classroom lighting to help protect students’ eyesight and improve learning efficiency |
“The International WeLoveU Foundation repaired faucets at school washbasins and improved restroom facilities. They also removed the trash and waste that had accumulated behind the school buildings. I sincerely thank WeLoveU for helping build a caring community and actively supporting educational welfare by improving children’s learning environments. We hope you will continue working with our local government to further improve educational environments.”
Richard Obiang Ava, Mayor of Libreville’s 2nd District
“Seeing our classrooms brightly lit fills me with emotion. It is something we have long hoped for. I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to WeLoveU Chairwoman Zahng Gil-jah.”
Louembet Felician, Principal, Sotega Public Primary School
The sight of children studying with bright smiles on clean, pleasant school grounds and in well-lit classrooms reflects the true impact of WeLoveU’s welfare initiatives around the world.
WeLoveU will continue its efforts to improve learning environments and promote hygiene so that children around the world who are at risk of losing educational opportunities because of difficult circumstances can learn in safe and sanitary environments and pursue their dreams to the fullest.
