A Year Later: "I look forward to coming to school every day."

Before we installed a rain tank at Mutave Primary School last year, fetching water was dangerous to the students for multiple reasons. Not only did the pupils need to cross a busy highway to access the stream, but the stream's water would end up infecting them with debilitating illnesses.

"Students used to walk across the road to a nearby stream to fetch water," explained the school's deputy headteacher, Richard Amisi. "Water from the stream was not safe as [it] was exposed to contaminants."

And if that wasn't enough of a burden, students also had to bring water to school from home, which tired them out before they even arrived to class.

"Carrying water to school every day for use in school was tiresome and hectic," said 11-year-old Lavender. "We used to walk down the slopes to access the commodity."

A year after the tank's installation, things are looking up for Mutave Primary School, and for students like Lavender.

"Currently, thanks to [you], we now access clean, safe, reliable water directly in the school compound. We now save on time," Lavender said. "I foresee a reduction in cases of typhoid, diarrhea, and other related waterborne diseases. I look forward to coming to school every day, ready to learn, without any worry of being asked to go fetch water for use in school. This will impact positively in my academic performance."

"As a school, hygiene and sanitation standards [have] improved," Mr. Amisi concluded. "The school is now clean, providing a conducive environment for learners."

Mr. Amisi, Lavender, and our field officer, Sam, at the rain tank.