Albert Anderson, past student of Bunkers Hill Primary in Clarendon, capitalised on the power of social media when he sent Digicel a direct message on Instagram asking them to help upgrade the bathroom facilities at his alma mater.

The institution had been using pit latrines since it opened in 1972.

Through his Instagram handle, @iamalbertdarnell, Anderson 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 answered the call and foot the cost for the building of a brand-new bathroom facility, complete with four stalls for boys and another four for girls. Digicel ambassador Tifa was also on hand to deliver a motivational talk to the students.

At the official handover, held at the school last Monday, parents, community members and principal of the school sung high praises to Digicel for the gift.

"I have my daughter here in grade two and I don't have to fret no more, knowing that she has a safe place to go to the bathroom. Lots of time, I watch news and hear of children falling in pits and I wouldn't want that to happen to anyone," said Ramona Anderson.

Acting principal Nardel Henry noted that the bathrooms will not only be an upgrade for the school but will also 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, Bunkers Hill is blessed with an abundance of rainfall, so this water tank will help us to harvest even more rainwater 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."

The Bunkers Hill Primary School opened its doors in 1972 and currently has 75 students on roll.