Giving Update: Essaba Secondary School

As you enter the school compound at Essaba Secondary, the place looks very clean and is very quiet. The compound is always green with flowers and trees growing throughout it.

Previously, the compound would be filled with plastic containers all over the grounds as these were used by the students to carry water from their homes to keep the school programs going. Their water tried to keep the school kitchen running, science laboratory functional, and of course was meant for drinking by students, teachers and support staff. This water from home never satisfied the school's water needs however, and its quality was always questionable.

Today, with the availability of the 50,000-liter rain tank that was constructed at Essaba Secondary School, there are no more containers around the compound especially during the rainy season as water is always available from the tank. Students are now very happy and relaxed as they enjoy safe water from the tank, reduced congestion in line at the latrines, and also routine handwashing to prevent disease-causing germs. Provision of the 6 doors of VIP latrines and 2 handwashing stations, as well as the hygiene training that was conducted at the school, have greatly helped to change the status of the school in terms of sanitation and hygiene.

Student Alice Andeyo with Chief Chef Patrick Otakwa in front of the rain tank

"Since last year, our school has had a regular supply of water from this very big water tank especially during rainy season whereby students no longer carry water," said the school's Chief Chef Patrick Otakwa.

"This water source being near the kitchen area has really helped me as the chief chef to access water within a very short time thus making food preparation very quick. [The] availability of water in the school is now guaranteed [especially] during rainy season where the water is abundant and in high supply for both drinking and cooking."

Alice at the tap with Field Officer Wilson Kipchoge and another student at the rain tank

Alice Andeyo, a 17-year-old student at Essaba Secondary, shared how the rain tank has personally affected her education.

Alice tries to take a drink while laughing

"Previously before the project was done in our school, I used to waste a lot of study time either going to the nearby water sources outside the school compound or waiting for other community members to fetch the water first before being allowed to fetch it and attend class. Nowadays I have time to do my classwork with a lot of confidence knowing that there is a reliable water source within the school."

A student with Field Officer Wilson Kipchoge in front of the rain tank