Bernadina lives in the Bobonaro district of Timor-Leste. With hopes to become a doctor in the future, she is benefitting from ChildFund-supported programs to improve the health and wellbeing of children at her school.
In Bernadina’s district, ChildFund Timor-Leste works with a local partner, Balibo ba Oin, to enhance hygiene practices, provide safe drinking water, develop local health clinics and early childhood development centres, and improve food production. Targeting development in schools is a key aspect of this.
How we’re improving sanitation and personal hygiene on school premises
ChildFund and Balibo ba Oin recently installed a water borehole and improved sanitation facilities on the grounds of Bernadina’s school. This has been incredibly important, as students and teachers now have ready access to clean running water for washing their hands and for watering the vegetables growing in their school’s garden.
“Now that the borehole is installed, we do not have to walk far to fetch water – we also now have toilets for both girls and boys, which we didn’t have before,” explains Bernadina.
Through ChildFund`s programs, Bernadina has also learnt the importance of having good health and hygiene habits. She now always washes her hands before meals, and after using the toilet.
Lennon Maher, one of ChildFund Australia’s youngest fundraisers, has been voted Australian Fundraiser of the Year in the 2015 JustGiving Awards!
Lennon was awarded for his efforts in providing children in developing countries with a life-changing gift of a bike so they can get to school more easily.
Earlier this year, Lennon’s pledge to walk a 3.8km journey home from school, once a week for the entire school term raised a massive $5,000 for ChildFund Australia’s Dream Bike Appeal.
As a result of his outstanding effort, 50 children living in Cambodia`s rural villages now have bikes to help them get to school.
JustGiving selected Lennon as one of their best fundraisers from around the country to battle it out for this award. Each fundraiser was given a 24-hour period to secure as many votes as possible through a public vote on Facebook. The response was overwhelming, with thousands of votes being cast!
“A huge congratulations to Lennon from all of us at ChildFund Australia. It is wonderful to see that the Australian public got behind Lennon and voted him JustGiving’s Australian Fundraiser of the Year,” said ChildFund Australia’s CEO, Nigel Spence.
“We are delighted that Lennon has won,” added Nikki Kinloch, JustGiving’s Country Director for Australia. “He was up against some other great fundraisers, but I think he has captured the hearts of Australians, being so young and putting in such a great effort to help improve the quality of life for children his age in a community thousands of kilometres from him.”
Cathy, Lennon’s mum, is also overjoyed with her son’s commitment and achievements.
“Lennon never once asked what he gets out of doing the walks,” said Cathy. “Anytime I told him that we got another donation, he was so excited that another bike was being bought for the kids – even though he didn’t have a bike of his own. It made me proud… and I think he’s proud of himself too.”
And what is Lennon’s message to everyone who voted for him? Watch the video below to find out!
