At Arabian Travel Market (ATM), we are committed to creating a global impact through sustainable tourism initiatives. From May 2024 to December 2024, we worked alongside Just a Drop and local partners to bring life-changing sanitation facilities to Santa Isabel School in the remote municipality of Terrabona, Nicaragua.
This rural, low-income community faced profound challenges in accessing basic hygiene. The project addressed these needs by improving infrastructure and teaching essential hygiene practices that promote health and dignity. We take pride in celebrating the success of this initiative and the brighter futures it has fostered for the 28 children and staff at Santa Isabel School.
Challenges Facing the Santa Isabel Community

Life in Terrabona is marked by economic hardship and limited access to clean water and sanitation. Many families live hundreds of meters away from the only village well, making it almost impossible to prioritise water for hygiene.
At Santa Isabel School, these issues translated into daily struggles for both students and teachers. Before the project, the school director relied on filling a single plastic bucket with well water for handwashing. The latrines were unsafe and unsanitary, posing serious health risks and diminishing the dignity of students, particularly older children and girls. Poor hygiene often led to illnesses, keeping students’ home and hindering their education.
A Solution Rooted in Collaboration

Together with Just a Drop and the local Parents’ Committee, the project delivered sustainable solutions tailored to the community’s needs. Two double-pit latrines were constructed for students, along with a single-pit latrine for teachers. A dedicated handwashing station was also installed, ensuring proper facilities for hygiene.
Beyond construction, the project prioritised education. Students learned how to care for the new facilities, fostering a sense of ownership and responsibility.
Luisa, a 10-year-old student, shared,
“We were taught that after using the latrines, we should always keep them covered, how to grease the latrine doors, how often to clean them, and of course, how to properly wash our hands each time. We even made cardboard trash cans with our teacher and placed them in each latrine.”
Teachers like Irma also played key roles in sustaining the improvements. She expressed her gratitude, saying,
“This was a great project; we needed it because the latrines were in bad shape and dangerous for the children. And now with the station, they wash their hands more often, which is good for their health. We, as teachers, keep soap and towels for them to dry their hands.”

Immediate and Long-Term Impact
The impact of this initiative has been profoundly positive. The new facilities and hygiene lessons have improved student health, attendance, and happiness. The children now feel secure in a clean and private environment, enhancing their ability to focus on learning.
The long-term benefits extend beyond Santa Isabel’s school grounds. With structured maintenance plans in place and monthly monitoring from local partners, these improvements will stand the test of time. The project also introduces lasting habits in hygiene that will benefit the entire community for generations.
ATM’s Role in Empowering Communities
Arabian Travel Market is proud to be at the forefront of this transformational effort. Since 2008, we have partnered with Just a Drop on 11 safe water and sanitation initiatives, improving the lives of 25,543 people across six countries.
This project exemplifies our commitment to sustainable tourism, creating meaningful change in underserved communities while aligning with global priorities like the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. By addressing critical needs like hygiene and education, we aim to uplift communities and unlock new opportunities for growth and success.
Be Part of the Change
We invite you to join us in empowering communities like Santa Isabel. Together, we can bring clean water, hygiene, and hope to those who need it most.
Support the cause today by donating to Just a Drop
Your support matters. Together, we can continue transforming lives, one project at a time.
Thank you for making a difference.