Giving Update: Essong'olo Secondary School

Ever since implementation of rain tank and hygiene facilities last year, the staff and students at Essong'olo Secondary School have experienced tremendous improvements and this was evident when we recently visited the school.

The school is now able to access water directly from the school's compound as opposed to years back when students had to leave campus in search of water. The water from the rain tank is clean sufficient, which has helped reduce cases of waterborne diseases. The hygiene standards have also greatly improved thanks to the hygiene and sanitation training carried out at the school. Students and staff now wash their hands at the handwashing stations and utilize their new latrines. The school is well-kept and the facilities installed at the school are all well-maintained and functioning.

"As an institution, we have experienced tremendous changes," said Deputy Head Teacher Jason Asenga.

"[These] include [the] availability of clean, safe and sufficient water at all times compared to years back when the facility had not been installed. Our food is prepared on time as water is available making our cooks work much faster. Installation of the sanitation facilities has helped the school have enough toilets for the entire population of the school thus easing congestion. [Regarding] time management, our students now have ample time for their studies and this has reflected on our school's performance. [Also the] rate of infections has gone down thanks to [the] water treatment [that is] done [to the rain tank]."

Deputy Head Teacher Jason Asenga at the rain tank with a student

Perhaps the most affected by these changes have been the students at Essong'olo Secondary School.

"Before implementation of the facility in our school, we used to draw water from outside the school's compound...This used to happen in the morning and in the evening but this changed immediately after installation," said 18-year-old Enos Omsalaba.

"I am now able to concentrate in my studies as much time is available thanks to [the] availability of water in the school's compound and availability of extra toilets which has helped ease congestion. My personal hygiene standards have improved greatly...after the hygiene and sanitation training. I am able to learn in a clean environment as every day we clean our classes with water which is available in the school's compound. I am now able to drink water that is clean having been treated by our partners."

Student Enos Omsalaba (right) with fellow student and Deputy Head Teacher Jason Asenga (left) at the rain tank