A Year Later: Planting, Building, and Feeding Programs!

Last year, everyone at Migwani DEB Primary School depended on one tiny rain tank, which rarely, if ever, satisfied all the school's water needs. And, even worse, the supplementary water students brought with them to school came from open scoop holes, which often made them sick.

“The rampant water scarcity within the school caused a lot of issues," explained 12-year-old Ann M.

"For instance, I was forced to carry water from home, which was tiring. The water was also acquired from contaminated sources such as scoop holes and stored in unclean jerrycans. This exposed us to water-related infections like typhoid and amoeba. Our classrooms and latrines suffered from poor hygiene standards because water had [to be] sparingly used. On multiple occasions, I was forced to drink the unclean water or remain thirsty during lessons.”

But the school's new rain tank, which we helped construct last year, now provides enough water so that students can remain in their clean classrooms all day and hydrate themselves whenever they want.

"I now spend less time looking for water because the water point is nearby and offers a steady supply of water, even during the dry months," Ann said. "We also manage to clean our classrooms and latrines regularly. Proper hygiene and sanitation within the school, as well as clean and easily accessible water, [have] led to a conducive learning environment. I get more time to play with my friends and study."

Now that the students' basic needs are met, headteacher Winifred Mbai has big plans to improve the school.

"We are planning on setting up a school feeding program, thanks to this water point," Winifred said. "We have also planted vegetables and trees, which will improve our diet and offer shade as well as beautiful scenery.”

“We are also planning to plant flowers within the school to improve the scenery,” Ann added.

Migwani DEB Primary School is fast becoming a beautiful, clean, and wholesome place to learn!

Students and teachers at the rain tank.