ADRA celebrates improved and renovated sanitation facilities at Gilo
The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Solomon Islands, through its Turn on the Tap (TOTT) Project, has celebrated a milestone achievement with the completion of a fully funded renovation and improvement project at Gilo Primary School. The project included the construction of a new additional flush toilet and a showroom facility.
Guest from Guadalcanal Province and ADRA staff visited the improved and renovated sanitation for boys ablution block after the celebrations
The celebration took place on Friday, 14 March 2026, at the school compound. The event was attended by John Botsi, Jimmy Saea, Leyn Elizer Gantare, ADRA staff, Gilo Primary School chairman, teachers, students, and local community representatives.
The renovation and sanitation improvement project was fully funded by ADRA Australia through the ADRA Solomon Islands TOTT Project. Work began in December 2025 and was completed by the end of February 2026.
Gilo Primary School was selected following an assessment of three schools in Guadalcanal Province, including Rate Community High School, Gilo Primary School, and Tau SDA Community High School. The school was chosen due to the urgent need to upgrade its sanitation facilities and its large student coverage area.
Currently, Gilo Primary School has nine teachers and 262 students from Grade 1 to Grade 6. The school serves students from the GPPOL 3 area up to Brande and is one of the longest-serving schools in the Tasimboko area.
Speaking during the official handover, Minister Botsi said he was honored to celebrate the milestone achievement on behalf of the Guadalcanal Provincial Government and the community.
“The Guadalcanal Provincial Government is pleased to witness and be part of this important achievement and celebration of the sanitation improvement and renovation project,” he said.
He reminded the school committee and the community that the facilities are a valuable gift that must be maintained.
“To the school committee and the Gilo community, these facilities are a gift, but you must take responsibility for their maintenance and sustainability. If we maintain them today, they will serve generations to come. Let us not see these facilities fall into disrepair but let them stand as a testament to what we can achieve when we work together,” he said.
Minister Botsi also thanked the donors:
“I wish to extend my deepest gratitude to our donor, ADRA Australia, and to ADRA Solomon Islands for their technical and financial support. Your investment in Guadalcanal’s children is an investment in the future of the Solomon Islands.”
Students, Staff of Gilo School and guest from ADRA and Guadalcanal Province took photo Infront of school after the celebrations
ADRA Country Director Leyn Elizer Gantare thanked the Guadalcanal Provincial Government for attending the event and the Gilo community for working closely with ADRA to make the project a success.
Deputy Headmistress Roselyn Ohukeni thanked ADRA for the improvements:
“Our school sincerely thanks ADRA for selecting Gilo Primary School for this renovation and sanitation improvement project. Previously, our sanitation facilities were run down, and the school could not maintain or improve them to the required standard. But today, we are grateful for the new extension to the ablution block with two additional toilet units. These improvements will benefit not only our students but also our teachers who live on campus.”
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ADRA Solomon Islands statement