A Year Later: Waita Primary School

A year ago, your generous donation helped us construct a rainwater catchment tank for Waita 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 Lilian Kendi with you.

The availability of water has improved the hygiene and sanitation levels at the school. There are fewer complaints pertaining to diseases like typhoid, amoeba, stomachaches, and diarrhea. The school has handwashing stations which are always filled with water, thus enabling the students to wash their hands often. Due to the availability of water, the school management has led the students in planting trees around the school.

Giving tank water to a seedling

We talked to Headteacher Julius Maithia and his student, Dan Mumo, to hear about the other improvements they've witnessed over the past year.

From left to right: Esther Lila, Lilian Kendi, Dan Mumo

"The school water tank has harnessed a lot of rains since they were experienced early this year. Parents are no longer expected to bring water for the school's use as they used to because we now have sufficient water to sustain the school feeding program and all the school necessities," Headteacher Maithia said.

"We have planted 400 tree seedlings within the school and the students water them every day. We also established a vegetable nursery where we planted vegetables for the learners."

Construction of the rainwater catchment 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 Waita Primary is changing many lives.

"We used to have problems of water in the school because at times if it were not our parents who brought the water to school, we were expected to come to school with jerrycans of water. It was very exhausting, but since the tank was completed we face fewer challenges and we can also concentrate on our studies. We arrive at school on time," remembered 14-year-old Dan.

Dan Mumo and his classmates used to carry water to school. They don't have to anymore because there's enough water in the tank - even enough to water gardens and trees!

"The water we used to drink was not safe because we used to fetch water from the river. Some students also have no water at home so the only water they drank was the one from the river. Stomachache complaints have reduced."

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.