A Year Later: Ebukanga Secondary School

A year ago, your generous donation enabled us to construct a rainwater catchement tank for Ebukanga Secondary 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 Wilson Kipchoge with you.

The students at Ebukanga Secondary School depend on the provision of safe, clean water from their beautiful tank constructed last year. In the past, they used to spend money in order to get the water from vendors. This school now has access to safe drinking water, which reduces waterborne diseases and improves student health.

"Since last year, tremendous things have occurred. As we speak now, we have our own water source near and closer to us whenever we need it," Principal Jeremiah Andayi told us during a recent visit to the school.

Their sanitation has also improved, especially for the girls who used to wait in long lines to use the old, dangerous latrines. That is no longer an issue either, thanks to the VIP latrines constructed as a part of the project. Hygiene has also improved because of the accompanying training. Students are seen cleaning the classrooms and using handwashing stations after going to the bathroom.

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 Ebukanga Secondary School is changing many lives.

"For a very long time, I have been wishing to drink water from our own source that is free from contamination," 16-year-old Purity Shanize told us. "That has happened because of the new tank, and our water is treated using chlorine. I am healthy and ready to study well and pass my exams!"

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.