September, 2019: Giving Update: Mwanzo Primary School

A year ago, your generous donation helped Mwanzo Primary School in Kenya access clean water.

There’s an incredible community of monthly donors who have come alongside you in supporting clean water at Mwanzo Primary School. Month after month, their giving supports ongoing sustainability programs that help this school maintain access to safe, reliable water. Read more…

August, 2018: Clean Water at Mwanzo Primary School

A new rainwater catchment system was built! Mwanzo Primary School in Kenya now has a new source of safe, clean water thanks to your support. Handwashing stations were installed so that students can clean up after using their new latrines, and students and staff have received training in sanitation and hygiene.

New Knowledge

We worked with the headteacher to plan a convenient date for hygiene and sanitation training. Student leaders were picked to represent each class, who accompanied teachers, board members, and parents to attend. The school could only find the space and time for training during the academic holiday, so we were a little worried that the people we invited wouldn't show up.

We were happy to find 14 people waiting for us in a classroom on a drizzly morning.

Thankfully, by the time we had to go outside to teach about tank management and maintenance, the rain had subsided. The lighting inside the dark classroom was not good for photos, but we were able to get some good shots of our outside activities.

We covered several topics, including bathing, oral hygiene, and handwashing with soap as a barrier from germs; operation and maintenance of the new facilities, with each person understanding their role for long-lasting clean water and good health. The student participants also started a student health club that will oversee health promotion both at school and at home.

Sara demonstrates handwashing to her peers as one of their teachers looks on.

Students and especially parents appreciated the training on solar disinfection, which only requires a clear container, time, and direct sunlight. They confirmed that this treatment method would save their families a lot of money that would have been used to buy chlorine.

The students felt so inspired after learning how to take care of their new rainwater catchment tank. They want to start a farm club to plant vegetables, which would cover the cost if a gutter or tap ever needed replacement.

The school administration gathers near to hear about tank maintenance.

Teacher Albert Anjichi said, "Being qualified to get a project is not something that just happens. This is an answered prayer. There is poor health in this area and that is why we also really needed this training. We will do as you have told because we need this water and we also need to exercise good health the way you have trained us... because we need to be healthy!"

Handwashing Stations

Pupils can now enjoy washing their hands with soap thanks to the two handwashing stations that were delivered to their school. Before, there was nowhere to wash hands. These new handwashing opportunities will help reduce cases of hygiene-related illness. The training on hygiene has motivated these students to share what they’ve learned both with their peers at school and families at home.

Understanding the importance of handwashing, students from the new health club have also built new handwashing stations from empty containers.

VIP Latrines

This project funded the installation of six new ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrines. All of these new latrines have cement floors that are easy to use and clean. And with a rainwater catchment tank, there should be enough water to keep them clean all the time.

Rainwater Catchment Tank

Construction for this 50,000-liter rainwater catchment tank was successful! Rainy weather was the only challenge. It could start raining first thing in the morning, delaying any cement work the artisans wanted to do. It took patience to wait for the right time to plaster the foundation, walls and dome!

Parents, staff, and students helped our artisans gather everything needed for construction. Students were especially helpful in shuttling bricks to the artisans during their class breaks. They were so excited to see the finished latrines and tanks! All the while, women cooked meals for the artisans, and the school provided accommodations for the artisans during their work. Local men and women helped our artisans with their manual labor, too.

The process officially began with our staff and school administration looking around the school compound to try and determine the best location for a new rainwater catchment tank. This needed to be the best site with good, clean roofing to catch the rainwater.

Then, we cleared the site: excavating the soil within the required measurements to make level ground for the tank foundation. The foundation was cast by laying stones on a level ground and then reinforcing it using steel, concrete and waterproof cement.

Both the drawing pipe as well as the washout pipe were affixed as the foundation was lain. The wall was built with ferro-cement techniques through six layers. The inner wall was plastered while rough casting was done on the outer part.

Dome construction could begin after the superstructure had been given enough time to settle. The manhole cover was fitted, inlet pipes were connected to the roof gutters, inlet screens, ventilation pipes (breathers) and overflow pipes were all done to standard.

Finally, the catchment area was dug, plastered, and a staircase installed.

Once finished, the tank was given three weeks to undergo complete curing before it was cleaned and handed over to Mwanzo Primary School, though we will continue to offer them unmatchable support as a part of our monitoring and maintenance program.

The school headteacher together and the other staff members organized a special thanksgiving ceremony. The event was planned to thank God for enabling success, despite the hurdles of mobilizing for the construction materials and the rains that kept interfering with construction work.

"We are very grateful for the project that has been brought to our school," Teacher Emily Kadesa said.

Teacher Emily Kadasia stands proudly by her school's rainwater catchment tank.

"We promise to take care of the facilities and ensure that we do not go back to the water problems we had in the past. This tank is very beautiful and its water very clean. It is now the pride of ADC Mwanzo, therefore we will jealously guard it!"

June, 2018: Mwanzo Primary School Underway

We're excited to share that artisans have arrived (we're certain!) at Mwanzo Primary School to build a rainwater catchment tank and latrines. As construction progresses, students, teachers, and parent representatives will attend an important training about their health at school, home, and the greater community. Thank you for your patience, and we look forward to reaching out very soon with news of clean water!

April, 2018: News from Mwanzo Primary School

Dear Friends, we just received word from the field that the tank and latrine construction are delayed. We're moving the completion date back by three months. We continue to work with this school as they prepare for our artisans.

Thank you for standing with us to provide clean water for these students!

February, 2018: Mwanzo Primary School Project Underway

Mwanzo Primary School in Kenya has begun building a new source of safe, clean water because of your generous donation. A rainwater catchment tank and new latrines are being constructed, hand-washing stations provided, and the school is being trained on proper sanitation and hygiene practices. Imagine the impact this will have on these students! For now, please enjoy the new stories, pictures, and maps of this school. We look forward to reaching out again soon!