The village of Watahena is still only accessible by tuk-tuk. Over the years we have supplied the local, “difficult” school (“difficult” to access, that is) with daily meals, playground equipment, and classroom supplies. On his recent trip there, Robert brought bubbles and tennis balls and toured the school, where he met young Jayani.
Jayani lives with her grandmother in a hovel. Large gaps in the wooden walls and roof mean the place is flooded every time it rains. There is no proper toilet, no privacy, and no electricity. In short, it is unfit for old women and little girls. The building is on government “reservation” land which means no permanent structures are allowed to be built on it. But what CAN be built is a neat little “clay” house – a wattle and daub structure that will offer shelter and safety and a modicum of comfort. It should cost about £1600 or so.
