A Year Later: "Huge, huge impact."

Last year when we first visited Ebumbayi Primary School, the students spent much of their time collecting water outside the school campus. They either hauled water from home, which left them tired before the school day even began, or they went to the local stream during class time when they should have been learning. And if that were not bad enough, the water they worked so hard to collect often made those consuming it sick with water-related illnesses because it was contaminated.

12-year-old Faith described what life was like for her before we installed the high-capacity rain tank on her school campus. "We were either getting [water] from home or being sent to the stream to fetch. Carrying from home made me arrive at school already tired," said Faith.

But since we installed the large rain tank, things have been different for Faith and her classmates, with water readily available whenever they need it.

"Huge, huge impact," said Faith. "We come to class fresh, which enhances our concentration. Coupled with the minimal interruptions of our class sessions, I'm confident that I'll perform well in the forthcoming national assessment. More uninterrupted class time has improved my academic performance. With the current competency-based curriculum that is more interactive and attention-demanding, I can be able to follow through well."

Not only have grades improved but so have the students' health, as noted by 56-year-old teacher Johnson Onyino. "Healthwise, we are...doing well. Since [the tank's] installation, no case of water-related illnesses has been reported."

Faith and Mr. Onyino at the rain tank.