A Year Later: Bumini Primary School

A year ago, your generous donation enabled us to construct a rainwater tank for Bumini Primary School in Kenya. The contributions of incredible monthly donors and others giving directly to The Water Promise allow our local teams to visit project sites throughout the year, strengthening relationships with communities and evaluating the water project over time. These consistent visits allow us to learn vital lessons and hear amazing stories – and we’re excited to share this one from local team member Mary Afandi  with you.

One year after the project was completed, the pupils from Bumini Primary School look healthy, clean, and happy. Initially, the school had no access to safe water. This forced the pupils to carry water from home each day. With the accessibility of water now in the school, the pupils are able to clean their classrooms. Cases of absenteeism have also decreased thanks to the safe drinking water.

We recently visited the school to speak with students and teachers about the changes they experienced over the past year. Headteacher Isa Matala told us that public health officers visited the school and commented that the facilities are very good. They gave the headteacher an A+ for the facilities! The officers also said that the toilets are nice and clean.

Headteacher Isa Matala and student Florence Ongola

It is a remarkable story given that country officials gave the school a closure notice prior to the project, saying that if new latrines were not constructed, things would be shut down. Not only do they have latrines now, but the officials are complimenting them!

Construction of the tank is only one step along the journey toward sustainable access to clean water. The Water Project is committed to consistent monitoring of each water source. Our monitoring and evaluation program, made possible by donors like you, allows us to maintain our relationships with communities by visiting up to 4 times each year to ensure that the water points are safe and reliable.

This is just one of the many ways that we monitor projects and communicate with you. Additionally, you can always check the functionality status and our project map to see how all of our water points are performing, based on our consistent monitoring data.

One project is just a drop in the bucket towards ending the global water crisis, but the ripple effects of this project are truly astounding. This tank in Bumini Primary School is changing many lives.

"At the moment, the pupils have enough clean and safe water within the compound," 15-year-old Florence Ongola said.

"Absenteeism among the pupils has greatly reduced as compared to previous years."

This is only possible because of the web of support and trust built between The Water Project, our local teams, the community, and you. We are excited to stay in touch with this community and support their journey with safe water.

Read more about The Water Promise and how you can help.