School toilets and a menstrual hygiene corner
Cleaning and small repairs to a school’s toilets (water, soap, a door latch, a lidded bin), and a corner for girls’ menstrual needs, in a woman teacher’s care.
- 0/6 people
- About 8 hours
- 25
- points
About this task
In haor-land Sunamganj many villages are ringed by water in the monsoon; clean toilets and water at school help students stay the whole day. On a holiday, the boys’ and girls’ toilets of one school scrubbed clean, and the small missing things found: a door latch, bucket and mug, soap, a lidded bin in the girls’ toilet. And a shelf in the women teachers’ room (clean pads, soap, paper bags) so that no girl has to go home when she needs them at school. Last, an upkeep roster agreed with the school.
Why it matters
Without water, soap and a latch, children drink little all day and avoid the toilet. Without a clean place and the things they need, staying at school on their period days is hard for girls. Many girls learn nothing about menstruation before their first period, which leaves fear and shame.
What changes after
Every toilet clean, with water, soap and a latch; a lidded bin in the girls’ toilet; a shelf of supplies in the women teachers’ room; an upkeep roster on the wall.
Who can join
Anyone for the cleaning; for the girls’ corner and talk, only women volunteers, a woman teacher or a woman health worker.
Step by step
0 of 4 steps doneHow to do it, in order.About 8 hours across all steps
- 1
Sit with the head teacher and a woman teacher
Written permission; a list of what is missing: water, soap, latch, light, bin. A woman teacher in charge of the girls’ part.
90 minখাতা
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet - 2
Clean the toilets and make small repairs
On a holiday, in empty toilets. Brushes and cleaner; latch, bucket and mug, soap; a lidded bin in the girls’ toilet.
240 minগ্লাভস, মাস্ক, ব্রাশ ও ক্লিনার, ছিটকিনি, ঢাকনাওয়ালা বিন
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet - 3
The girls’ corner and a talk
A shelf in the teachers’ room with clean pads, soap and paper bags. A girls-only talk by a woman teacher or health worker; only women volunteers present.
90 minস্যানিটারি প্যাড
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet - 4
A roster for upkeep
Who cleans when, who brings soap and pads: written with the school and put on the wall.
60 min
Not startedIn hand:Nobody yet
What you need
- Gloves and masks · জনপ্রতি ১টি করে
- Brushes and toilet cleaner · প্রতি টয়লেটে ১ সেট
- Lidded bins · ২টি
- Sanitary pads (donated, new) · কয়েক প্যাকেট
When it counts as done
- Before and after photos of each toilet, empty: water, soap and latch visible
- The upkeep roster, signed by the head teacher
Proof required
- Before photo
- After photo
- Document
Safety
Photograph toilets only when empty; never photograph the girls’ talk. Never mix two kinds of cleaner.
The full guide
What it takes, and how to do it
Never done this before? No matter. The cost, the timeline, who does what, whom to speak to, the day hour by hour, the risks and ready words to send are all here.
- About
- ৳3,000–7,000
- People
- 6
- Time in all
- 8 hours
- Age
- 16 or older
Best timeOn a weekly or other holiday, when the school is empty. Done before the monsoon, the toilets stay usable through the wet season.
PermissionThe head teacher’s written permission; the managing committee informed. A woman teacher’s agreement and oversight for the girls’ part.
What it costs
Prices differ by district and season; this is a 2026 estimate. Keep receipts and put them in the proof.
| What | How much | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Gloves and masks6 peopleWhere: Pharmacy or hardware shop | 6 people | ৳80–150 |
| Toilet brushes and cleaner4 setsWhere: Grocery or household goods shop | 4 sets | ৳250–450 |
| Door latches and screws4Where: Hardware shop | 4 | ৳60–150 |
| Buckets and mugs4 setsWhere: Plastic goods shop | 4 sets | ৳150–300 |
| Lidded bins2Where: Plastic goods shop | 2 | ৳250–500 |
| Soap and sanitary pads (nothing if given in kind)About a month’s worthWhere: Pharmacy or grocery | About a month’s worth | ৳0–1,500 |
| Total (about) | ৳3,000–7,000 | |
Getting ready, step by step
10 days before
- Sit with the head teacher and a woman teacher; get written permission.
- Walk the toilets and list what is missing: water, soap, latch, light, bin.
3 days before
- Buy or gather the things as gifts in kind; keep receipts.
- Fix the day of the girls’ talk with the woman teacher.
On the day
- Take before photos of the empty toilets, then clean and repair.
- Set up the supplies shelf in the women teachers’ room.
The month after
- Return to see whether the roster is kept and soap and pads are stocked.
Who does what
Lead1
Speaks with the school, holds the permission, keeps time.
Cleaning and repairs4
Scrubbing, fitting latches, placing buckets, mugs and bins.
The girls’ corner (a woman volunteer)1
Sets up the shelf and arranges the talk with the woman teacher.
Photos and records1
Photos with consent, lists, receipts, handing in the proof.
Whom to speak to first
The head teacher and managing committee
- Why
- Permission, and the upkeep afterwards, are theirs.
- How
- Go in person with a one-page plan; get written permission.
A woman teacher
- Why
- Girls come to her without hesitation; the shelf is in her care.
- How
- Ask her first what would help the girls and how the talk should go.
The school’s cleaner or caretaker
- Why
- Daily cleaning is in their hands.
- How
- Have them with you on the day; put their name and times on the roster.
The day, hour by hour
- 08:30Gather, gloves and masks, safety talk (never mix cleaners).
- 09:00Before photos of the empty toilets.
- 09:15Scrub and wash, windows open.
- 11:30Latches, buckets and mugs, soap, bins in place.
- 12:30Shelf set up in the teachers’ room; roster on the wall.
- 13:00After photos, the head teacher’s signature, done.
How to take the proof
- Before and after photos of each toilet from the same angle, empty.
- Make sure the latch, soap, water and bin show.
- A photo of the roster signed by the head teacher. No photo of the girls’ talk.
Common first-time mistakes
- Cleaning without checking the water supply; with no water, toilets get dirty again.
- Working or taking photos while students are there.
- Stocking the shelf without deciding who refills it.
What can go wrong, and what to do
Fumes from cleaners
Never mix two cleaners; keep doors and windows open; step into fresh air if unwell.
Dirty again within days
Write the roster and the cleaner’s hours with the school; come back after a month.
Discomfort or gossip about the girls’ part
Everything through the woman teacher; no men in that part; the head teacher answers parents’ questions.
Ready words to send
Copy, fill the [brackets], send.
WhatsApp / Facebook invitation
Join us to clean a school’s toilets! Where: [school name], [area] When: [date], 8:30 am to 1 pm What: cleaning the toilets, fitting latches, buckets and bins, and a supplies shelf for girls. Bring: old clothes, a water bottle. We provide gloves and masks. Age 16 and up. To join: send a join request on this task’s page on Desher Kaj, or tell [lead’s name] in this group.
Letter to the head teacher asking permission
Date: [date] To The Head Teacher [school name] Subject: Permission to clean the school toilets, make small repairs and keep a supplies shelf for girls. Sir/Madam, On [date], a school holiday, we wish to clean the school’s toilets and fit door latches, buckets and mugs, soap and lidded bins. Under a woman teacher’s oversight, we wish to keep a shelf of clean pads and soap for girls. Afterwards we will agree an upkeep roster with the school. No money will be collected from anyone for this work; what is needed comes as gifts in kind or at the team’s own cost. We would be grateful for your permission. Yours faithfully [Name], team lead [team name], a volunteer team on the Desher Kaj platform Phone: [number]
After it is done
- Look in once a month; if the shelf is empty, remind the school committee.
- Do the same at the next school; this school’s photos make permission easier.
Questions people ask
Can men and boys take part?
Yes, in cleaning and repairs. The girls’ corner and talk are in women’s hands only.
Where does the money for pads come from?
No money is raised on this site. Take new packets as gifts in kind from people you know, or ask the school committee to keep them stocked.
Can I join if I cannot stay the whole time?
Yes. Say in your request which step or which hours you can do. The lead will give that step to you.