A Year Later: "Things are looking up quite well."

Last year, students at Kwa Maluvyu Primary School not only had to bring water with them to school every day, but they would also have to leave school during recess to collect water from scoop holes.

“Initially, we experienced a lot of challenges pertaining [to] water," explained 12-year-old Mary M. "Regardless of the time of the season, we used to carry at least two liters of water with us as we attended school every single day. Life then was very unbearable. At times you would wake up, and once you think about the trek to school, you [would] get lazy [about] attending the school. We did not have enough time to play or do homework, [just to] fetch water.”

But since we helped to construct a high-capacity rain tank at the school, the kids at Kwa Maluvyu have been able to reclaim time that was previously lost to water-fetching.

“Now, things are looking up quite well," Mary said. "I have been able to get very clean water for quenching my thirst anytime I am at the school. I am less concerned about what I shall drink, [but] rather my studies. I attend school promptly."

Now, students are excited about improving the school through tree planting.

"We are planning to go full throttle in tree planting in our school," said the school's headteacher, Elizabeth Muema. "So far, we have prepared a tree nursery for the same. We are targeting [to have] over 100 trees in the school compound."

"We are optimistic that the [tree-planting] project is going to kick off as soon as possible," Mary added. "Also, [I] have had enough time to do my homework on time and submit [it] to my teachers. I hope to do exemplary well in the final exams.”

Mary.