A Year Later: Musunji Primary School

A year ago, your generous donation enabled us to construct a rainwater catchment tank for Musunji 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.

We feel very happy when we visit Musunji Primary School. It's enjoyable to walk around the compound to see how the students are practicing good hygiene. We witnessed a very clean compound, clean pupils, and clean facilities - especially at the tank drawing area where high standards of hygiene are maintained.

Initially, pupils at the school could not access clean and safe water for drinking and were affected by waterborne diseases. This was due to the various sources the students used to fetch water from on the way to school. Now, when you visit the school, you see students who enjoy fetching treated water from the tank. They no longer waste time looking for water that is not safe for consumption.

The student-led hygiene and sanitation club that was assembled following the construction of the tank has helped maintain a higher level hygiene and sanitation in the institution.

"Since the project was completed in our school, we are really observing cleanliness. We are sitting in clean classrooms which we wash on a daily basis" 11-year-old student Prudence Mbone said during our visit.

"We practice handwashing after visiting toilets and keep the compound clean by clearing the bush. All these activities we are doing after acquiring knowledge on good hygiene practice."

Prudence Mbone

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 in Musunji Primary School is changing many lives.

"The tank has reduced time wasted fetching water that could be used for studying," Teacher Margaret Aduvukha said.

Margaret Aduvukha

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.