A Year Later: Water Yields Academic Opportunities!

Boniface M. is an 18-year-old student at Kaketi Secondary School. When asked about the school's water challenges before a rain tank was installed last year he was open about the challenges they faced on a daily basis.

He said, "Initially, the school experienced a lot of water scarcity challenges. The water in the storage tanks barely lasted the school for a term, [so] the admin would contract parents to deliver the water. Our meals would be prepared late because at times these parents would come late and it would affect the school's entire program. The water we were served was very little, and it was not fresh for cleaning. Students would often complain of stomach aches and typhoid."

But since the installation of the new rain tank, things have been different for him and the other students that attend Kaketi.

Fellow student Faith collecting water from the tank.

Boniface shared, "The water tank has been a great relief to everyone. School life now feels very comfortable and relaxing. [The] availability of water from the tank has boosted most of [the] students' self-confidence of pursuing their dreams."

The school having readily available water has allowed them to take on new projects that benefit the entire school and make students feel like they are genuinely learning by putting classroom theories into practice.

Boniface (using a watering can) in the garden with fellow students and teachers.

Boniface continued, "We have also started agricultural projects where we have kale, spinach, and maize. At the moment, we have started tree planting and agriculture projects ahead of the National Exams. [The] availability of water has been helpful to us in that we can engage in all the practical lessons like all other schools without feeling disadvantaged. We are hopeful about excelling in our academics."

The future looks bright for Boniface and his classmates, all thanks to clean water.