A Year Later: Emusoma Primary School

December, 2018

The coming national exams are already stressful for Victor Oluwichi and his classmates, but he says he will “be at peace” while sitting for the tests because he does not have to worry about where to get water.

A Year Later: Emusoma Primary School


A year ago, your generous donation enabled us to construct a rainwater tank for Emusoma 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 Christine Luvandwa with you.


This school has really benefited from a year of clean water and good sanitation facilities.

Before the tank and latrines were constructed, the teachers had a hard time keeping pupils in school until the end of the day. Many of them would get sick due to drinking dirty water. Since there was no water source, students would have to travel to the nearby stream to collect water during the day. That wasted learning time and also caused them to be sick, said teacher Abubakar Aura.

Now the students have ample water to keep them in school and healthy throughout the year.

Abubakar Aura

"I now have enough drinking water whenever I am in school, since I get it directly from the tank," 15-year-old student Victor Oluwichi said.

"Unlike the previous years when the other students would look for water before sitting for their national exams, this will be a year of change. I do not have to worry about going to look for water when faced with the tension and anxiety due to exams. I will be at peace."

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.

Victor Oluwichi

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 project in Emusoma Primary School is changing many lives.

Initially, the school only had six toilets to serve the entire student population. Long waits in line for dirty toilets really affected how the pupils viewed themselves. However, hope has been restored to them and they are now proud of their school. The boys and girls no longer have to share bathrooms since they now have their own toilets that were constructed at the same time as the rainwater tank.

Students using handwashing stations

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.



See The Water Project in Victor Oluwichi's Community »

When you invest in The Water Project, you're investing in people like Victor Oluwichi. Your gifts help us reach more communities with the gift of clean, safe water. And every drop helps unlock potential.

Read More Stories From the Field »