Project Status



Project Type:  Rainwater Catchment

Regional Program: Western Kenya WaSH Program

Impact: 500 Served

Project Phase:  In Service - May 2016

Functionality Status:  Functional

Last Checkup: 08/08/2024

Project Features


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Community Profile

This project is a part of our shared program with Western Water And Sanitation Forum (WEWASAFO). Our team is pleased to directly share the below report (edited for clarity, as needed).

Background Information

Situated in Kakamega County, Bukhungu Location, Shirere Ward of Kakamega Central, the school was started on May 2, 1989 by Mr. Fred Anguba, who is still the head teacher. The school began with a total of six teachers and 36 pupils. Before Mr. Anguba's school, long before Kenya's independence, the facility was host to government employees working for the District Commissioner's office. After Kenya's independence in 1963, locals converted the building into a bar.

When local brews were banned by the former president, Daniel Torotich Arap Moi in 1989, the brew den was closed down, leaving the structures abandoned. The community thought it wise to convert the facility into a school, "Amalemba Primary School." The school is sponsored by Pentecostal Assemblies of God.

Amalemba Primary School has a total student population of 1,177. The primary section has 536 boys and 551 girls, totaling 1,087. The Early Childhood Department has 42 boys and 38 girls, totaling 80 students. Finally, the special needs unit has four boys and six girls. (Editor’s Note: While this many people may have access on any given day, realistically a single water source can only support a population of 350-500 people. This site would make a great location for a second project. To learn more, click here)

The Current Source

There is no water source within the school compound. A plastic water catchment tank of a 2,000-liter capacity was blown away by the wind, leaving the school with nothing. The pupils therefore have to carry water from home to school every morning. This water is not enough to serve the entire school, and early education children can only carry half-a-liter jerrycans due to their small frames. The head teacher, Mr. Anguba, admitted that getting water is the school's biggest challenge.

This school will greatly benefit from a new, larger rainwater catchment tank.

Sanitation Situation

The school has a total of 30 VIP latrines. Of the total, teachers have two doors, girls have 16, and boys have 12. Considering the above statistics, this is falling far below the UNICEF standards of sanitation, which recommends one door per 25 females and one per 30 males. Since the school has 5.9 acres of land, there is enough space to construct more VIP latrines. Parents have already voiced their support and willingness to contribute to this project's sustainability.

WEWASFO has qualified Amalemba Primary School for a project because it is deserving and willing to contribute time, effort, and locally-available materials.

Project Results: Training

Hygiene and sanitation training was held in one of the school classrooms from February 10-11. The head teacher was notified of the schedule ahead of time so that he had time to invite both teachers and pupils. Attendance was good, with a mix of men and women, and children of different ages. There was active participation with students eager to learn.

A range of topics were covered, including:

  • Primary healthcare
  • Community-Led Total Sanitation
  • CTC club (child to child)
  • Project sustainability
  • Hand-washing

The facilitator used group discussions, role-plays, lectures, brainstorming, on-site training, demonstrations and pictures to teach the above topics and more.

By the end of training, a CTC club for the school was successfully assembled and trained. Participants also agreed on specific days for the club to meet. These meetings are purposed for the sharing of the students' knowledge of hygiene and sanitation. The training participants were also assigned responsibilities, such as maintaining the hand-washing stations and water point. CTC Club President Sophie Ogutu said, "I didn't know how to wash my hands properly. From this training, I have learned how to do it pretty well and I know I will keep germs at bay and stay healthy. I will also teach my siblings and parents the ten hand-washing steps."

VIP Latrines: Construction of two triple-door VIP latrines is complete and are now in use.

Hand-Washing Stations 

Two hand-washing stations were delivered and installed, and are now in use by students. Because of the pupils’ training on proper procedures for hand washing, both boys and girls alike are happy to was hands and demonstrate their knowledge for others.

Rainwater Catchment Tank

Construction for the 30,000-liter rainwater catchment tank began on January 10th. The process began with site clearance, setting and casting the foundational slab, construction of the wall, roofing, and installation of fittings such as delivery pipes, vent pipes, and screens. Finally, good drainage was ensured.

The community provided many materials that were used to build the structure, such as bricks, sand, hardcore, ballast, sugar sacks, and poles. The school also made sure that the construction team was taken care of well, providing both meals and accommodation.

Lack of water was a challenge during tank construction, which delayed the project at least four weeks. Once the project was finally complete, Head Teacher Anguba O. Fred said, "This project is a great blessing for us. Pupils have been suffering a lot especially when they want water for drinking. Most of them would just take any water available to quench their thirst, thus subjecting them to waterborne diseases. This tank has solved all those cases in this school."

Thank You for unlocking potential for the students of Amalemba Primary School!

Project Updates


November, 2017: A Year Later: Amalemba Primary School

A year ago, generous donors helped build a rainwater catchment system, latrines, and hand washing stations for Amalemba Primary School in Kenya. Because of these gifts and our monthly donors, our partners are able to visit project sites throughout the year, strengthening relationships with communities and evaluating the actual water project. Because of these consistent visits, we learn vital lessons and we hear amazing stories – we’re excited to share this one with you.




Project Photos


Project Type

For a rainwater collection system, we build gutters around a building with good, clean roofing to channel rain where we want it. From there, the water falls through a filtered inlet pipe into a high-capacity storage tank, the size of which is based on population and average rainfall patterns. In the tank, water can be stored for months, where it is easily treated and accessed. Learn more here!


"Pupils have been suffering a lot especially when they want water for drinking. Most of them would just take any water available to quench their thirst, thus subjecting them to waterborne diseases. This tank has solved all those cases in this school."

Head Teacher Anguba Fred

A Year Later: Amalemba Primary School

August, 2017

“I no longer carry water from home for school use,” says Prince Gabriel, a 10-year-old pupil of Amalemba Primary School in Kenya.

Keeping The Water Promise

There's an incredible community of monthly donors who have come alongside you in supporting clean water in Amalemba Primary School Rainwater Catchment Project.

This giving community supports ongoing sustainability programs that help Amalemba Primary School Rainwater Catchment Project maintain access to safe, reliable water. Together, they keep The Water Promise.

We’re confident you'll love joining this world-changing group committed to sustainability!

A year ago, generous donors helped build a rainwater catchment system, latrines, and hand washing stations for Amalemba Primary School in Kenya. Because of these gifts and our monthly donors, our partners are able to visit project sites throughout the year, strengthening relationships with communities and evaluating the actual water project. Because of these consistent visits, we learn vital lessons and we hear amazing stories - we're excited to share this one with you.

"I no longer carry water from home for school use," says Prince Gabriel, a 10-year-old pupil of Amalemba Primary School in Kenya. In 2016, through our shared program with WeWaSaFo, we installed a rainwater harvesting system, latrines and hand washing stations at the school. Humphrey Buradi Zadoc went back to the school to see what impact the water project has made.

"Pupils and teachers in Amalemba Primary School are excited with the WaSH facilities in the school," says Humphrey. "Little children who used to carry water from home for daily school use, something that they no longer do. These children can concentrate in class and as such, the school was among the most improved in academics in Kakamega County. This is as per 2016 KCPE - Kenya Certificate of Primary Education results."

4598_YAR_2

Humphrey and Head Teacher Friedrick Andimba still believe there are some improvements which could be made. There are some challenges with performing regular maintenance on the tank and gutters, but our partners are working together with the school to get the work done.

4598_YAR_3

One year later, we're happy to report Amalemba Primary School is managing their rainwater harvesting tank very well. As we continue to monitor their progress, we're excited to hear and share more stories from this primary school and their successful students.

The Water Project and our partners are committed to consistent monitoring of each water source. Our monitoring and evaluation program, made possible by monthly donors, allows us to visit communities up to 4 times a year. Read more about our program and how you can help.


Navigating through intense dry spells, performing preventative maintenance, conducting quality repairs when needed and continuing to assist community leaders to manage water points are all normal parts of keeping projects sustainable. The Water Promise community supports ongoing sustainability programs that help Amalemba Primary School Rainwater Catchment Project maintain access to safe, reliable water.

We’d love for you to join this world-changing group committed to sustainability.

The most impactful way to continue your support of Amalemba Primary School Rainwater Catchment Project – and hundreds of other places just like this – is by joining our community of monthly givers.

Your monthly giving will help provide clean water, every month... keeping The Water Promise.


Contributors

Citius Athletics
New England Arbors
2 individual donor(s)