BUNKER’S HILL, Clarendon — Thanks to social media, telecoms provider Digicel has provided modern bathroom facilities for Bunker’s Hill Primary School in Clarendon, a news release from the company said.

According to Digicel, Bunker’s Hill Primary past student Albert Anderson capitalised on the power of social media when he sent a direct message on Instagram asking for help to upgrade the bathroom facilities at his alma mater.

The school, which accommodates 75 students, had been using pit latrines since it opened in 1972, the news release said.

Anderson reportedly said he reached out to Digicel after seeing the company’s social media coverage around its bathroom donation to Rodney Hall Basic School in Portland.

“I follow Digicel and I am always very happy with the work they do in Jamaica. I really just wanted to help my alma mater and I thought sending Digicel a message was worth a try,” said Anderson. “I never wanted to write a letter because that is so yesterday; I am always online and I think social media is the way to go.”

Digicel said it answered the call and provided a running water sanitary facility complete with four stalls for boys and four for girls.

Acting Principal Nardel Henry noted that the bathrooms will not only be an upgrade for the school but will help to uplift the self-esteem of the students.

“Children need the right tools to be successful and certainly having the right facilities go a far way. Since 1972 we have been using pit latrines and this upgrade to flushable toilets will certainly help to uplift the self-esteem of the students,” he said.

In addition to the bathroom, Digicel, through its Water Tank In Schools initiative, also donated a 60-gallon water tank which will help to alleviate the water woes that the school also faces.

“We do have problems with water as well, however, Bunker’s Hill is blessed with an abundance of rainfall, so this water tank will help us to harvest even more rain water to help with various daily tasks around the school,” said Henry.

Explaining Digicel’s involvement, Kamal Powell, senior sponsorship and development manager, said: “As a Jamaican brand we are more than happy to plan an active role in the progression of our country. In fact, we see it as an obligation. Therefore, projects such as this one are near and dear to our heart as we continue to focus on youth and community development.”