Giving Update: Kamuluguywa Secondary School

Ever since the completion of their rain tank and other WaSH facilities last year, the health of students and staff at Kamuluguywa Secondary School have improved as waterborne and water-related diseases have been eradicated. Students' academic performance has also improved since students spend more time in class.

This is unlike before when they wasted their time as they went to get water off-campus and could sometimes be forced to queue for a long time as they waited for their turn to fill up their containers. The availability of water in the school has also led to more students enrolling in the school, which has contributed to the school's overall development.

When the rain tank was installed last year it did not yet have a manhole cover at the drawing point, and as a result, the community members surrounding the school would sometimes drain all the water from the tank in the evenings and weekends. The school administration took initiative and installed a lockable manhole cover at the drawing point to control the use of water from the tank. This was a commendable gesture since it shows their commitment towards sustainability of the water source, and their willingness to improve their situation however they can.

Mr. Luvembe with students at the rain tank (Rebecca on left)

School Principal Mr. Gerald Luvembe was one of the staff members behind this manhole initiative and was glad to share his thoughts with us on how the projects have been impacting his school over the last year.

"The hygienic condition of the school has improved since now we have a reliable source of water from the tank to do general cleaning, cooking, and drinking. Cases of indiscipline have also reduced since students are in school throughout the day unlike before where their classes were interrupted to go and fetch water for use and some of them used to misbehave on the way to the spring."

Above, 17-year-old Rebecca Khadioli stands in front of the rain tank next to Mr. Eric Nambisia, a teacher at her school (hear Mr. Nambisia share his thanks in a video, found on the photos tab!). Rebecca, a student at Kamuluguywa Secondary School, shared how her experience as a learner has changed based on the facilities.

"The availability of this tank has helped us in time management in that we don't waste time anymore to go to [the] spring to fetch water. Instead, we use that time to study which in turn has improved our academic performances in class. We no longer suffer from waterborne and water-related [diseases] since we have access to safe and clean water."

Rebecca, Field Officer Christine Masinde, Mr. Luvembe, and another student at the rain tank