A Year Later: Kakubudu Primary School

A year ago, your generous donation enabled us to construct a rainwater tank for Kakubudu Primary School in Kenya. The contributions of incredible monthly donors and others giving directly to The Water Promise allow our local teams to visit project sites throughout the year, strengthening relationships with communities and evaluating the water project over time. These consistent visits allow us to learn vital lessons and hear amazing stories – and we’re excited to share this one from local team member Janet Kayi with you.

Good hygiene practice is evident upon visiting Kakubudu Primary School. When we entered the compound, we saw handwashing facilities placed at strategic points for every student to access throughout the day. There were children fetching water with their drinking cups from the treated water tank. The compound was clean, as were the classrooms and toilets.

"Toilets and classrooms are cleaned every morning before lessons begin. As a result, dust has been reduced in the classrooms and around the compound," 13-year-old student Juliana Nekesa said.

Field Officer Janet Kayi and Juliana Nekesa

This is attributed to having great water access thanks to the tank installed last year. Students are no longer getting sick from waterborne diseases and are thus doing better academically as a result of the project, Juliana added.

Construction of the tank is only one step along the journey toward sustainable access to clean water. The Water Project is committed to consistent monitoring of each water source. Our monitoring and evaluation program, made possible by donors like you, allows us to maintain our relationships with communities by visiting up to 4 times each year to ensure that the water points are safe and reliable.

This is just one of the many ways that we monitor projects and communicate with you. Additionally, you can always check the functionality status and our project map to see how all of our water points are performing, based on our consistent monitoring data.

One project is just a drop in the bucket towards ending the global water crisis, but the ripple effects of this project are truly astounding. This tank at Kakubudu Primary School is changing many lives.

Students no longer waste time fetching water each day, Headteacher Solomon Busumu said. They use the time to study, a change that is leading to improved outcomes in the classroom. In addition, student hygiene is improving and behaviors like handwashing after using the bathroom are common, thanks to the provision of reliable water and handwashing stations. All of these changes are making the school a better place.

Solomon Busumu

"The image of the school has changed because of the facilities and especially the tank, which is helping the school to store water," Mr. Busumu said.

This is only possible because of the web of support and trust built between The Water Project, our local teams, the community, and you. We are excited to stay in touch with this community and support their journey with safe water.

Read more about The Water Promise and how you can help.