A Year Later: Friends School Chegulo

A year ago, generous donors helped build a rainwater harvesting tank and latrines for the Chegulo Friends Primary School in Western Kenya. Because of these gifts and the contributions of our monthly donors, our 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 learn vital lessons and hear amazing stories – we’re excited to share this one from our partner, Faith Muthama, with you.

The ongoing survival of many schools in Kenya is 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.

Faith Muthama, shares the impact that she has witnessed as a WEWASAFO employee who has seen the growth at Chegulo since the project began: "The life of the project beneficiaries has really changed. Initially the school had no clean classrooms but now they have clean classrooms and a good environment for the pupils to learn. The children both the boarders and the day scholars had no safe drinking water now they have and also the boarders had to go to the river to fetch water for bathing but now they get it from the tank. The cooks now have sufficient water for the kitchen."

Faith Muthama standing between Mrs. Norah Mulongo and 12-year-old Oscar Omar at the tank.

Perhaps the biggest impact on the health of the students at the school occurs through hygiene and sanitation behavior changes, such as handwashing. Oscar Omar, a twelve year old student at Chegulo Friends School proclaims, "This project has changed our life totally. We have developed a habit of washing our hands after visiting the toilet, a practice that has reduced waterborne diseases among us."

Access to clean water and new latrines provides students with improved health and more time for both school and family life. We are excited to stay in touch with the students and community connected to the Chegulo Primary School and to report the impact as they continue on their journey with clean water.

A teacher supervising her students as they fetch drinking water from the tank.

One issue that both Oscar Omar and Norah Mulongo, one of the support staff reported was that there are low water levels during the dry months. One of the exciting effects of water and sanitation access for schools is the ability to draw more students to enroll. This presents both an opportunity and a challenge with water access. The WEWASAFO staff is working with the school to manage the tank's water supply to ensure that it can last through weeks without rains in Western Kenya, and they are also exploring options to build larger tanks in future schools.

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.