Borehole Well and Hand Pump
Rehabilitation Project
The 549 students and staff at Ebuchira Primary School depend on a well installed by the government in 2011 as their primary source of water.
With no dedicated funding or technical support to maintain the well, or the expertise to fix it when it breaks down, everyone at the school suffers. At least five times, valuable resources that should have been funneled to ensure students receive a quality education have been diverted to restore water.
Students wait to collect water from the well that needs attention, hoping it will not run dry.
Field Officer Terry Fanice described the issue with the well, which has not been maintained regularly. "The main challenge is not the quality of the water, but the insufficient and unreliable supply, which is unable to meet the daily water needs of the school."
After years of neglect, the well has become increasingly unreliable, leaving the school in a constant state of uncertainty.
To ease the burden, the school collects rainwater, but rainfall is seasonal, the tank is too small, and it runs dry quickly, given the school's large population. "At the time of the assessment, it was empty and unable to supply water. Although the surroundings are clean, the lack of stored rainwater means the tank is not contributing to the school's water needs, increasing reliance on other limited water sources," noted Terry.
Students walking to collect water.
Each time the well water stops flowing or the rain tank runs dry, students are forced to find water elsewhere. The alternative is for students to collect water from a local stream. It requires an exhausting, dangerous trip that wastes students' valuable time and energy.
"Dependence on the stream increases the school's water insecurity and highlights the need for a reliable borehole that can provide safe water throughout the year," Terry said. "Accessing the stream is difficult because the path is rocky and steep, making it challenging and sometimes unsafe for staff and learners to collect water. In addition, the stream water is untreated, so it is not considered a safe or sustainable source for drinking," Terry said.
"Community members and the school report that drinking water from the stream, especially when it is not treated, can lead to waterborne illnesses such as diarrhea, typhoid, and stomach infections. These illnesses contribute to learner absenteeism, reduced concentration in class, and increased medical expenses for families," Terry said.
"In addition to the health risks, relying on these water sources results in a significant loss of time that could otherwise be spent on teaching and learning. The unreliable water supply also makes it difficult to maintain proper hygiene and sanitation, increases the risk of school closure due to inadequate sanitation facilities, and places additional pressure on both staff and learners during periods of water shortage," she continued.
Teacher Petronila Mwisiahi.
51-year-old teacher Petronila Mwisiahi shared her thoughts.
"There was an occasion when a pupil developed symptoms of a water-related illness, including diarrhea and stomach discomfort, after consuming unsafe water. The child was unable to attend school until they recovered. Experiences like this are concerning because they affect learners' health, attendance, and academic progress, reinforcing the need for a dependable supply of safe water," Ms. Mwisiahi said.
"When learners become sick because of unsafe water, they are absent from school, and their academic performance is affected. The illnesses also increase concern among teachers and parents and make it more difficult for the school to maintain consistent attendance and a healthy learning environment," she continued.
Ms. Mwisiahi feels for her students and wants nothing more than for them to feel safe and focus on their futures.
"It is deeply concerning because the school should be a safe place for children. Seeing learners exposed to unsafe water is heartbreaking, as it affects their health, school attendance, and ability to learn. Providing safe water would protect their well-being and give them a better opportunity to succeed academically," Ms. Mwisiahi lamented.
Terry agrees, "Access to a reliable source of safe water at the school would help reduce these health risks and improve the overall well-being of learners and the surrounding community."
By adopting this well, we can ensure it is functional, so children can return to the classroom and focus on their futures.
Steps Toward a Solution
Our technical experts worked with the local community to identify the most effective solution to their water crisis. Together, they agreed to adopt a well previously drilled by another organization that is no longer actively maintained.
Adopted Well: Ensuring Lasting Reliability
This adoption program protects and strengthens access to clean water by identifying boreholes installed by other organizations and adopting them into The Water Project’s proven monitoring and maintenance systems. This cost-effective approach reduces downtime, prevents waterborne illness, safeguards health and livelihoods, and advances long-term regional water coverage.
Before use, the well will be thoroughly vetted and repaired to meet our established standards. From there, we keep the system safe and dependable through quarterly monitoring and prompt attention to any maintenance needs — minimizing the risk of unexpected breakdowns. Water quality testing is conducted twice a year to ensure the supply remains healthy for the entire community. All of these services are covered by an affordable annual fee, with no additional costs at the time of repairs.
Community Education
Hygiene and sanitation training are integral to our water projects. Training is tailored to each community'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. Safe water and improved hygiene habits foster a healthier future for everyone in the community. Encouraged and supported by the guidance of our team, a water user committee representative of the community's diverse members assumes responsibility for maintaining the water point, often gathering fees to ensure its upkeep.
