A Year Later: Mavusi Primary School

A year ago, generous donors helped rehabilitate a well for Mavusi Primary School in Kenya. Because of these gifts and our monthly donors, 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 to learn vital lessons and hear amazing stories - we're excited to share this one with you.

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Shadrack Maleli, a 10 year old student at Mavusi Primary School, is excited about the changes the rehabilitated pump have brought. “When am thirsty, I easily come to the source and drink water. We are now able to wash our plates after eating lunch in school. We are able to clean our classrooms and latrines every morning.” Clean, safe water nearby means clean, safe students reaching unlocked potential!

WASH officer Paul Weringa recently visited Mavusi Primary school and noticed some of the same things. “Since the project was rehabilitated, the school has been able to improve in the academic performance. The pupils have enough time in their classrooms with their teachers and therefore much is done in terms of studies and syllabus coverage. The school is able to host other schools for games and other activities. The availability of water in school has also enabled the school to stabilize their lunch program where the standard seven and eight eat lunch in school.”

We are thrilled to hear of these great steps forward! But challenges still exist for this school. Through our regular monitoring visits to this site and conversations with the school staff, we have learned that this well can experience a lower yield during during the long periods between Kenyan rainy seasons, sometimes lasting 2-4 months. Extreme, longer dry seasons are proving to be a challenge to all water points in this part of Kenya, and we are working out solutions with our teams.

Hygiene and sanitation teacher Steven Maina shared, “During dry seasons, we were forced to regulate the usage of water especially during the day to allow everyone to access water.” Paul and the rest of his team are talking with Timbito about how this well can be further developed into a reliable source all year long.

Challenges like this are why we are so committed to monitoring all of the water sources we install. The work is far from done, but with the support of our monthly donors, we are learning more every day! Read more about our program and how you can help.