Giving Update: Namalasire Primary School

Immediately upon entering Namalasire Primary School, we observed that it has been kept very clean. This has, in turn, improved the hygiene status of the school. The child-to-child health club training empowered these students to practice good hygiene both at school and at home. By now, handwashing facilities are seen placed at very strategic places with children washing their hands after visiting the toilet. Pupils are happy with water in the tank because they get both drinking water and the water used to refill the handwashing facilities, not to mention using it for cleaning purposes.

The WaSH projects here have really improved and changed the face of Namalasire Primary School. It is evident that the pupils have reaped great benefits from the project that they cherish so dearly.

Head Teacher Mr. Patrick Mango took a moment to share with us some of the changes he has seen over the last year since the rain tank and sanitation facilities were installed.

"The [students and staff] appreciated the project so much. Their attitude has now changed and they are very positive about any project the school does," he said.

"[We have] improved hygiene, [since] the tank provides water that is used by the pupils to clean their classes and toilets and also [provides] safe water for drinking to the school population. [We now have] proper management of academic time [because] pupils no longer waste time going to fetch water from outside the school. [This has meant] increased enrollment because learners can now settle in school and are no longer sent out between lessons to look for water."

Field Officer Janet Kayi with Head Teacher Mr. Patrick Mango at the rain tank

One of those students, 17-year-old Elius Kasim, shared the very personal impact these projects have made on him as a learner.

"I feel appreciated by my school for helping me to access clean and safe water for drinking from within the school compound."

"We have been enabled to clean our latrines since we now have water for cleaning them. It is so fulfilling to know that we nowadays eat food cooked on time and from a clean place. Thus, the school feeding program that benefits the Early Childhood Education class plus standard 7 and 8 pupils is being served on time without delays during lunch. Because of this I [am] no longer late for afternoon lessons."

Elius, Janet, and Mr. Mango at the rain tank