A Year Later: Ivono Primary School

A year ago, generous donors helped build a rainwater catchment system and latrines for Ivono Primary School in Kenya. Because of these gifts and contributions from our monthly donors, partners can 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 partners, Catherine Chepkemoi and Janet Kayi, with you.

In Ivono Primary School, life for both pupils and community has improved because when you enter the school, you see pupils enjoying water from the tank to clean their classrooms, toilets and even drinking. You see the community members carrying water out of the school compound to their homes.

Deputy head teacher Sarah Mulindi shared some of the changes she has experienced since the rainwater catchment tank was installed last year. “The project has made both the pupils and community members look at things positively especially on things to do with their health. Cleaning the classrooms, toilets and cooking has become very easy for the school and the pupils because no more time is wasted by pupils going through tough time looking for water to perform their duties. The pupils are now healthy and clean since they acquired knowledge on good hygiene practice.”

We also spoke with 12-year-old Viona Dafine who said her life has changed since the project was completed thus her health and life has generally improved. “I am now practicing good hygiene both in school and at home. I no longer am absent from school when assigned to go looking for water to clean the classrooms and the toilets.”

Within Ivono Primary school, good hygiene practice is evident. The compound is clean, classrooms are clean, and even pupils look smart and clean. The knowledge that the pupils acquired on good hygiene practice during the CTC (child-to-child) training has really helped the pupils to improve their hygiene and health generally.

When we monitor, we will continue encouraging the school to keep the CTC club by supporting them to reach out to other community members in spreading the knowledge on good hygiene practice to improve their health. Children are known to be good agents of change in the African society.

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.