A Year Later: Friends Mukhonje Secondary School

A year ago, generous donors helped build a rainwater harvesting tank and latrines for the Friends Mukhonje Secondary School in Western Kenya. Because of these gifts and support from our monthly donors, partners are able to visit project sites throughout the year, strengthening relationships with communities and evaluating the actual water project. These consistent visits allow us to learn vital lessons and hear amazing stories – we’re excited to share this one from our WEWASAFO partner, Jonathan Mutai, with you.

From the clean classrooms, to the flourishing gardens, to the vibrant and healthy students, Friends Mukhonje Secondary School bears the marks of an excellent project that requires the hard work of students, staff, parents, and the expertise for implementation provided by WEWASAFO.  Mrs. Marina Mulama, the school principal, recognizes the impact that improved sanitation and hygiene facilities has had on gender imbalance and the quality of work she is seeing in the school.  She reports, “The biggest change in this institution is that the population of girls which had gone down due to inadequate facilities before, is now improved. Also cases of waterborne diseases have drastically reduced as a result of project implementation, students are now accessing clean and safe water for drinking as well as for regular cleanliness of classrooms and toilets. Besides that, good performance in the school is another great change realized.”  These improvements give the school notoriety within the area and attract even more students.

The students also testify to the opportunities that emerge when they are not spending hours of the school day accessing water.  Ian Balongo, age 18, shares, “Now am accessing safe clean water for drinking at any time I need within the school compound. The time that I wasted earlier before the project was implemented has been important to me now. I have maximized it in studies which has resulted in improved performance in class.”

The ongoing survival of many schools in Kenya are threatened if they are not able to provide water and sanitary facilities for the schools, yet it is difficult for parents to pay these expenses in addition to usual school fees.  The Water Project and WEWASAFO have targeted schools just like this because of the potential that can be unlocked for both students and staff when clean water and sanitation is available.

We know that the positive changes at Friends Mukhonje Secondary School from clean water access and healthy lifestyle changes will have ripples of impact throughout their school, their community, and in the surrounding areas.  We are excited to stay in touch with this school and to report the news as they continue on their journey with clean water.

The Water Project and our partners are committed to consistent monitoring of each water source. Our monitoring and evaluation program, made possible by monthly donors, allows us to visit communities up to 4 times a year. Read more about our program and how you can help.