Healthier, Happier Learners No Longer Burdened by Fetching Water

Last year, your gift unlocked the potential for a brighter future for Ms. Zaina and her students. Since then, she and the students and teachers at Musosya Primary School have had clean, reliable water. Your contribution has made a significant impact. Thank you for making a difference!

"What I like most is the convenience and safety. The water within the school compound is clean and sufficient to meet our needs throughout the year. It has taken away the burden from learners and teachers," said Ms. Zaina.

Before the Rain Tank Installation

Like many students and teachers in Southeastern Kenya, 31-year-old teacher Priscah Zaina and her students were responsible for collecting water to meet their daily water needs. Before last year’s water intervention, this task stole their time and negatively affected them.

Previously, students walked long distances to collect water.

Drinking the water caused severe consequences. Many in the school community suffered from waterborne diseases that created health problems, affecting their daily lives. Limited accessibility also meant students and teachers wasted time collecting sufficient water to meet their needs. The difficult journey to collect water sapped their physical and emotional energy, creating roadblocks. For Ms. Zaina, it reduced her opportunities to spend time teaching her students and ensuring their progress.

"Fetching water was exhausting and time-consuming. Learners carried 5-liter jerrycans from home or had to fetch from distant scoop holes, which were often crowded and unsafe. The water was also unclean and made many of them sick, disrupting their studies," recalled Ms. Zaina.

Since the Rain Tank Installation

Your generous gift last year was much more than a simple donation; it was a powerful statement about your commitment to this school community's future. By supporting the water solution, you made clean water an everyday reality, fostering hope for a brighter future.

Reliable and clean water lays the groundwork for improved health, education, and economic possibilities, allowing people to thrive. We frequently hear from those we interview that "water is life!"

"It only takes a few minutes to get water for drinking because the implemented project is within the school premises. Students no longer carry heavy jerrycans to school, so they arrive early and focused. They can now drink clean water, enjoy timely meals, and participate in agriculture practicals without difficulty. Cases of absenteeism due to illness have also reduced," shared Ms. Zaina.

"For teachers, planning lessons has become easier because students are healthier and more attentive in class. We also no longer struggle with delayed lessons or hunger among learners. Hygiene in classrooms and latrines has also greatly improved, making the school environment more conducive for teaching," she continued.

The Future is Looking Bright!

A year ago, you made a difference for Ms. Zaina and her school. This is just the first chapter of their story as access to clean water continues to improve their lives!

At The Water Project, we value sustainability and want to ensure that people continue to thrive. We commit to monitoring this project to ensure the water is always flowing and safe to consume. We inspect system hardware, monitor water availability, conduct sanitary inspections, and collect water-quality samples to identify risks. We work with our on-the-ground team to resolve them.

You gave Ms. Zaina a crucial tool for achieving her dreams: access to clean water. Together, we can excitedly expect that with this precious resource, their enthusiasm and courage will help them fulfill their dreams.

"With reliable water, we have planted several trees and established small agriculture plots where learners do their practical lessons. Hygiene clubs have also become more active in promoting cleanliness and handwashing in school. These developments wouldn’t have been possible without the water tank," said Ms. Zaina.

"I am most proud of seeing healthier, happier learners who are no longer burdened by fetching water. The improvement in hygiene, timely meals, and the ability to carry out agriculture practicals has really transformed the school. It is fulfilling to see both learners and teachers thriving because of this project," she concluded.