Little Sunshine Kindergarten Bathroom Project – Ukraine

Location
Boguslavka, Borova District, Kharkov Region, Ukraine

Community Description
Boguslavka is an agrarian community of around 1,500 residents. It is surrounded by farmland where many of its residents engage in raising livestock and crops to both consume and sell.

The main employer for the community is the Little Sunshine Kindergarten, where around 175 students attend.

The school is the town’s only kindergarten where parents can leave their children while they are at work. The building was completed in 1971 but was not converted into a kindergarten until 2001.

Two different age groups–infants (2-4 years of age), and preschool children (5-7 years of age)–attend the kindergarten, with a total of 50 children and 11 staff who make use of the building.

Problem Addressed
Although the property of the kindergarten has outhouses, located 35 meters away, that are used by staff, they are too far away and inconvenient for the children to use, especially in colder and inclement weather.

Boys and girls, up to 7 years old, must use their own individual buckets in the presence of others for their personal needs. Staff then must empty each bucket with human waste into a larger bucket, and dump the larger buckets of the waste outside. Staff must clean each bucket with harmful disinfectants after each use. This laborious process adds increased health risks to both staff and children.

Project Description
This project is to build a bathroom with two working toilets, two sinks, and a washbasin with a shower hose, within the kindergarten

Existing space in the building, between a classroom and the kitchen, will be converted into a bathroom.

A water supply that currently goes to the kitchen is sufficient to also handle the water needs of the bathroom.

There is currently a waste drainage system that pipes waste from the kitchen to a covered septic tank about 20 meters away. Piping will be installed to direct waste from the toilets, sinks, and washbasin to this tank as well.

A certified and experienced plumber from the area will purchase the needed parts and install the toilets, sinks, and washbasin according to proper standards.

The kindergarten staff will contribute by preparing the designated area, and by digging the trenches for the piping that will carry out the waste.

The Boguslavka Town Council will also contribute to the running of the underground line and connection to the septic tank.

A water tank and additional piping will also be provided by the community.

Water Charity funds will be used to purchase two toilet assemblies (bowl, cistern, lids, etc.), two sinks (faucet, bowl, housing, etc.), a washbasin with a water dispenser, piping (pipes, tees/elbows, gaskets), plumbing related supplies, and 50 percent of the value of labor to install/set up the toilets and sinks. (The plumber will contribute by doing the work at a 50% reduction in the fee.)

Project Impact
50 children, 11 adult staff, and around 15-20 parents who volunteer and help at the kindergarten throughout the week will benefit from the project.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Blakely Neff

Comments
Blakely previously completed the Golden Fish Kindergarten Water Filtration Project – Ukraine.

Dollar Amount of Project
$545.00

Donations Collected to Date
$545.00

Dollar Amount Needed

$0.00 – This project has been fully funded through the generosity of The Holistic Light, of Hudson, FL, USA.

We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify Peace Corps Volunteer Blakely Neff of your donation.  Additional funds will be applied to the Ukraine Country Fund to be used for current and future projects in the country of service.

This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.