St. Francis Xavier Shikoti Mixed Secondary School

At St. Francis Xavier Shikoti Mixed Secondary School, the sound of chatter and shuffling feet fills the air. It’s break time, and 628 students have gathered around the hand-dug well in the schoolyard. Buckets clatter, laughter mixes with frustration, and the line snakes around the muddy clearing. For these students, fetching water isn’t just a chore—it’s part of their daily school life.

Students fill their jerrycans.

The school has grown steadily since it was founded in 1990. What began as a small rural institution with only a few classrooms has become a respected secondary school. Teachers and parents take pride in the students’ achievements, and many graduates have gone on to higher education. But one challenge continues to hold the school back: access to clean, reliable water.

The school relies on two sources for its water—a hand-dug well with a submersible pump and a rainwater tank. The tank is helpful when the rains come, but during dry seasons, it quickly empties, leaving the hand-dug well as the main source. Unfortunately, the well is far from perfect.

Hand-dug well.

"The waterpoint area is not well-maintained; there is no proper covering or fencing around the well, making it easily accessible, and waste materials are seen nearby, exposing it to contamination,” shared Field Officer Betty Muhongo.

When the water is drawn, it sometimes appears brownish, especially after rain. There’s a faint earthy smell, [a] sign that the water may be carrying organic matter from the surface. Students and staff often complain of stomach upsets and other symptoms that point to waterborne illnesses. Yet with no alternative, they continue to drink, wash, and cook with it every day.

At the height of the school day, the well becomes a busy gathering place. Lines of students stretch across the compound, each clutching a container. The ground turns slick from spilled water, and the sound of quarrels occasionally rises as patience wears thin. The lack of drainage makes the area muddy and slippery, resulting in frequent accidents.

Among those waiting in line is sixteen-year-old Mitchelle, a bright student with determined eyes. She explains how fetching water disrupts her school routine.

Mitchelle.

“Fetching water takes a long time because many students are trying to collect it at the same time, especially during break or lunch. Sometimes, if the area is muddy or slippery, we have to be extra careful not to fall. This makes it take even longer to get water and get back to class," reported Mitchelle.

Each day, Mitchelle spends about fifteen minutes collecting water. Sometimes, it takes longer.

“I would use that time to study, finish my homework, or even rest before the next lesson. I could also join other school activities like clubs or sports," she continued.

But long lines often bring tension.

“Sometimes, students push or shout at each other when the line is long. Some try to skip the queue, and it causes arguments or even small fights," she said. “I sometimes get pushed to the back of the queue, especially when older students try to force their way to the front.”

When the well takes too long to refill, frustration sets in.

“Sometimes the well takes a long time to refill, and the water comes out very slowly. It makes me feel tired, frustrated, and worried, especially when I’m late for class or can’t get enough water to wash my plate or drink," Mitchelle said.

She pauses before admitting how much this struggle affects her performance.

“Fetching water affects my time at school and sometimes my exam scores. I often spend a lot of time in long lines, especially during break, which makes me late for lessons, which leads to poor performance," she continued.

Students in class.

Still, she dreams of a better future. “My plan for the future is to finish school, go to college, and become a teacher. I want to help other children learn and have a better life. I also hope to give back to my community and support schools like mine so that students won’t have to struggle with things like water problems the way we do now.”

And when asked how she feels about fetching water, she sighs. “When I’m sent to fetch water, I feel tired and sometimes frustrated, especially when the line is long or the water runs out. It takes a lot of my time, and I worry about missing lessons or getting in trouble for being late.”

Field Officer Betty Muhongo, who conducted the interviews, watched students waiting in the long line. One moment stood out to her: “One moment that impacted me the most was seeing how frustrated and tired the students were while waiting in long lines just to fetch water. Some looked anxious about missing their lessons, while others got into small arguments due to overcrowding. I was especially moved when a student quietly said they wished they could use that time to study instead. It reminded me that access to clean, reliable water is not just about health—it directly affects education and children's future.”

For St. Francis Xavier Shikoti Mixed Secondary School, hope lies in the promise of a new borehole with a hand pump; a clean, dependable water source that could transform daily life. With it, the students would no longer lose learning time in long queues. The muddy, unsafe area around the well would be replaced with a well-constructed drainage system. Hygiene would improve, and the threat of disease would fade.

Mitchelle’s dream of a better education—and a healthier school—could finally come true.

Steps Toward a Solution

Schools without reliable, on-premises water access often rely on students to fetch and carry water, leading to rationing and uncertainty about water quality. The water is typically poured into a communal storage tank and used by the entire school. With children carrying water from all different sources, it is also impossible for teachers and staff to know exactly where the water comes from and how safe it is to drink.

A new water point will be located on-premises at the school to ensure accessibility, reliability, and safety for students, teachers, and staff while meeting our school coverage goals. Having water available at the school allows children to drink, wash hands, and use sanitation facilities without leaving school grounds, preventing disruptions to lessons and reducing safety risks. A dedicated source increases water availability, reduces reliance on stored water, minimizes rationing, and ensures confidence in the safety of the water. This means staff and students are healthier, and their lessons aren’t disrupted, contributing to a better education!

Our technical experts worked with the school leadership and local community to identify the most effective solution to their water crisis. They decided to drill a borehole well, construct a platform for the well, and attach a hand pump.

Well
Abundant water often lies just beneath our feet. Aquifers—natural underground rivers—flow through layers of sediment and rock, offering a constant supply of safe water. A borehole well is drilled deep into the earth to access this naturally filtered and protected water. We penetrate meters, sometimes even hundreds of meters, of soil, silt, rock, and more to reach the water underground. Once found, we construct a platform for the well and attach a hand pump. The community gains a safe, enclosed water source capable of providing approximately five gallons of water per minute.

Our proposed water point can only serve 300 people per day. We hope to continue working with this community to identify other water solutions that will ensure all the people in this community have access to safe and reliable drinking water.

Handwashing Stations
Alongside each water source, we install two gravity-fed handwashing stations, enabling everyone at the school to wash their hands. Handwashing is crucial for preventing water-related illnesses within the school and community. Student “health clubs” maintain the stations, fill them with water, and supply them with soap, which we often teach them how to make.

Latrines
We will construct two Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) latrine blocks designed to prevent fecal disease transmission. Each latrine features a cement floor, making it easy to use and clean regularly. Three stalls will serve the girls, and three will serve the boys.

School Education & Ownership
Hygiene and sanitation training are integral to our water projects. Training is tailored to each school's specific needs and includes key topics such as proper water handling, improved hygiene practices, disease transmission prevention, and care of the new water point.

To ensure a lasting impact, we support forming a student health club composed of elected student representatives and a teacher. These clubs promote hygiene practices schoolwide and keep handwashing stations well-stocked. This student-led model encourages a sense of ownership and responsibility.

Safe water and improved hygiene habits foster a healthier future for everyone in the school and the surrounding community.

Project Updates

November, 2026: St. Francis Xavier Shikoti Mixed Secondary School Well Complete!

Your contribution has given access to clean water for the St. Francis Xavier Shikoti Mixed Secondary School in Kenya, thanks to the completion of their borehole well! Clean, flowing water is already making a difference in the lives of the students and staff. This will provide them with a reliable water source for their daily needs.

We installed new latrines and handwashing stations, then trained students and staff on improved sanitation and hygiene practices. Together, these components will unlock the opportunity for these students to thrive!

Grace, delighted about clean water!

Seventeen-year-old Grace said, "Reliable water will positively impact my learning by ensuring I stay healthy, clean, and comfortable while at school. I will spend less time and energy looking for water and more time focusing on my lessons and assignments. With improved hygiene and fewer illnesses, I will attend school regularly and participate fully in class activities. This will help me understand my subjects better and improve my academic performance."

Teachers were just as excited as the students about the new well on campus!

Mr. Ndiva by the new well.

"I believe this water point will have a positive impact on the students' lives and on their academic performance too. The new water source will greatly improve students’ health, which will improve their lives and promote a comfortable and conducive learning environment, which will impact their academic performance. The small ripple effects are what will create a bigger outcome. A little more time in class, better general health, uninterrupted class sessions, alot less illness, and a bit of peace of mind all point to a positive impact for the students," said teacher Simon Ndiva, 46.

How We Got the Water Flowing

The first step was to conduct a hydrogeological survey to determine the best site for the school's well. Once we found the perfect spot, the team obtained government approval to begin drilling.

Groundbreaking.

Parents, staff, and students all contributed to the well’s success from the start! To prepare for the well, the school collected fine sand and water for cement-making. When everything was ready, our drill team and staff arrived at the school to begin work.

Community members helping.

"The community demonstrated strong and active participation throughout the material-gathering and construction process. Parents, teachers, and local community members willingly contributed locally available materials, provided labor, and supported all coordinated efforts. Their involvement showed a high sense of commitment to improving the school’s water and sanitation needs, which also helped build their sense of ownership for the project and, in turn, its sustainability," shared Field Officer Betty Muhongo.

Drilling begins.

Drilling started with excitement in the air. We continued drilling to reach a final depth of 80 meters with a final static water level of 15 meters.

The drilling process can take up to three consecutive days to complete due to this region’s hard bedrock, so the team set up a camp where they could rest and refuel. The school’s kitchen staff and parents helped provide meals for the team, while the school provided a safe place for the artisans’ accommodations and storage of their materials.

Flushing the well.

Once we reached the optimum depth, the team inserted permanent casing, then bailed out the dirty water at the bottom of the well. The workers installed pipes, flushed them, tested the well’s yield, and chlorinated the water.

We constructed a cement well pad to seal it off from any ground-level contaminants. Tiles were installed beneath the spout to protect the cement from the erosive force of the water. We included a short drainage channel and a soak pit to prevent standing water.

When the well pad was cured, we installed a new stainless steel hand pump and sampled the water for a quality test. The results showed that this water was safe for drinking!

We officially gave ownership of the new borehole to the school’s students and teachers.

Students and staff celebrated the presence of clean water on campus. The event provided an excellent opportunity to acknowledge the school administration and students, and to remind them of our continued support.

Happiness, thanksgiving, and appreciation were the order of the day, flowing in all directions!

VIP Latrines

This project funded the installation of six new ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrines. These new latrines feature cement floors designed for easy use and cleaning. They have locking doors for safety and privacy, as well as vents to keep air flowing out through the roof. With a well right on school property, there should be enough water to keep them clean.

Handwashing Stations

We set up two handwashing stations outside the latrines. Student Health Club members will teach other students how to wash their hands at the stations properly, refill the stations with water, and ensure that soap is always available.

School Education

We scheduled hygiene and sanitation training with the school’s staff. When the training day arrived, facilitators Betty Muhongo, Daniel Mutuli, Victor Musemi, and Stella Inganji were deployed to the site to lead the event. 18 students and teachers attended the training.

We emphasized personal, menstrual, oral, and environmental hygiene. Proper water handling, soap-making, the ten steps of handwashing, and the importance of primary health care were discussed. We covered disease prevention, teen pregnancy, and child rights. Waterpoint, latrine, and handwashing station operation and maintenance, as well as leadership and governance, were discussed. By the end of the training, each pupil understood their role in sustaining clean water and good health within their school community.

The students elected peers to lead their newly formed student health club. The student health club members will encourage good health and hygiene practices amongst their peers, teachers, and the larger community.

"The topic that prompted the most discussion and interest was menstrual hygiene, especially because the training was conducted in a mixed school setting with both boys and girls. This topic created a lot of curiosity, questions, and open conversation among the students. One memorable discussion was when boys openly asked questions about menstruation—something that is often considered a sensitive or “girls-only” topic. Many boys expressed that they had little knowledge about it and wanted to understand how they can support their female classmates. This led to a very engaging and interactive session where myths and misconceptions were addressed," said Field Officer Muhongo, quoted earlier.

Menstrual hygiene session.

"The girls actively participated by sharing some of the challenges they face during their menstrual cycle, such as lack of sanitary products, discomfort, and sometimes embarrassment in school. This created a moment of empathy, where boys began to better understand the situation and acknowledged the importance of being respectful and supportive. Overall, the discussion was lively, eye-opening, and helped break stigma. It encouraged both boys and girls to view menstrual hygiene as a normal health topic, promoting dignity, respect, and better peer support within the school," she continued.

Ian.

Ian, 18, shared what he learned from participating in the training. "The training showed me that when students are empowered with the right knowledge, they can influence their peers positively and promote better hygiene habits within the school. Additionally, the training has encouraged me to be more proactive in reinforcing hygiene practices, integrating them into daily school routines, and creating more awareness. Overall, it has strengthened my commitment to promoting a cleaner, healthier school environment."

Thank you for making all of this possible!

September, 2026: Exciting Progress at St. Francis Xavier Shikoti Mixed Secondary School!

We’re thrilled to share that, thanks to your generous support, significant change is coming for Mitchelle and the entire St. Francis Xavier Shikoti Mixed Secondary School. Construction has begun on the well project, bringing them one step closer to having clean, reliable water.

But that's not all—during construction, we’re also providing vital health training. These sessions equip the community with essential hygiene practices, ensuring that the benefits of clean water extend to lasting health improvements.

We’re so grateful for your role in making this possible. Stay tuned for more updates—soon, we’ll be celebrating the arrival of safe water at St. Francis Xavier Shikoti Mixed Secondary School!