Rehabilitation Project
There are 363 students and 30 staff members at the Samitsi Boys Secondary School. Water is provided to the school through a local water association, but it's highly unreliable. The only other option is to travel to a community spring, but the water provided by the spring is often contaminated.
Students head out to collect water from the spring.
"As a result of [the] lack of clean and reliable water, students are forced to sacrifice some of their class hours for the quest of water. This affects them physically, emotionally, and also psychologically. While the students are out in search of water, they are likely to have conflicts with community members either at the water point or also on the way to the water point," shared Field Officer Joel Shitindo Otuya
Seventeen-year-old Phillip feels the effects of his school's water crisis acutely.
Phillip.
"There was a time when we lacked water in school for almost a week due to [the] breakdown of the storage tank of Samitsi Water User Association," said Phillip.
He went on to explain the side effects he suffered when he was forced to drink the spring water instead.
"It began with [an] upset stomach, then it escalated to more severe symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea. I also experienced chills, fever, and muscle aches. The illness left me feeling weak and dehydrated, hence having to rest at the school nurse's place. The whole experience was both physically and mentally draining," shared Phillip.
The spring provides unsafe water.
The time that Phillip is sick is time stolen from his education. As he mentioned, the spring water has devastating effects on his health. Even one day of contaminated water puts his future at risk, and he must consume it regularly.
"I have been unwell and missed school severely. Due to this, I lag behind in my academics because I usually spend nearly a week at the school clinic," Phillip continued.
It's a frustrating situation for everyone involved. There's never enough water and the water they do have often isn't safe.
Phillip said, "Due to problems related to drought and breakdowns, there is typically insufficient water at the sources. I feel horrible about this as I don't have enough water for a shower, a wash, or even a drink. It is emotionally taxing. At times, we as students find ourselves blaming the Principal or school management for [the] lack of water.
Phillip's struggles don't stay in school. In the spring, there is tension between the students and the community members, as there are often long lines. Everyone has crucial tasks they're sacrificing to collect water, which makes tensions run even higher.
"My main worry about safety at my current water source is community conflict. This is because it has affected me severely. At one point, I witnessed a case of vandalism where students decided to eat sugarcane from a community member's farm on their way to fetch water. This brought about conflict that almost led to a fight. To solve this conflict, the school management had to be involved," he shared.
"When I go to the water source, locals push me to the back of the line. This occurs when they find us collecting water, particularly during school hours, and they are impatient since they want to carry out their day-to-day activities," he continued.
Installing a well on campus will alleviate the tensions within the community and provide Phillip with reliable, safe water sources. With the time he will get back, Phillip can chase his dreams. He has big plans that will require dedication, and clean water will give him access to the first building block to success.
Phillip in the spring.
"After completing my secondary education, I expect to join university and study medicine. Since I will be [an] alumnus of this school, I dream of building it structurally and academically and to be involved in development-related activities within the school, too," Phillip concluded.
Steps Toward a Solution
Our technical experts worked with the 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. Learn more here!
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.
