A Year Later: "We get water at any time of the day"

Last year, the students at Matong DEC Primary School used to walk over two miles to collect water from a community waterpoint to meet their needs each day. Construction started on an older well within the school campus years ago, but it was never completed and did not produce water.

"Before, the water point was not pure to drink. It [would] dry [up] during the dry season. It was difficult to do proper hygiene practices," said 15-year-old Kadiatu K.

But since the well on the school campus was rehabilitated last year, things have been different for everyone.

"Thank you for providing us [with] safe and pure drinking water. We get water at any time of the day," said Kadiatu.

Not only do the students have access to water anytime they need it, but there are other benefits to their health, and the school's overall hygiene and sanitation have improved.

"We don't have sickness again from drinking dirty water," said Kadiatu. "[And] we have enough water to clean our school toilet."

With less sickness and improved hygiene, the future looks brighter with more time in school for students to learn.

Kadiatu outside the well.