Goibei Girls High School

May, 2026: Goibei Girls High School Well Complete!

Your contribution has given access to clean water for the Goibei Girls High 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!

"Reliable water will improve my learning at school by allowing me to engage more with teachers and complete my homework on time. I will have more time for studies and to participate in group discussions with other students. It will also give me enough time to revise and prepare well for my final exams. Reliable water has reduced the struggle and stress of searching for water, creating a more peaceful environment for learning. Additionally, it improves hygiene within the school, making the learning environment clean, healthy, and more conducive for academic success, said 16-year-old Susan.

Susan.

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

"Access to water within the school compound has enhanced the effectiveness of work at school. It brings hope to students, as they now have more time to focus on nurturing their dreams instead of searching for water," shared school principal Rose Koech.

Principal Koech.

"As a school principal, I will now have more time to focus on administrative duties, ensuring that all school activities run smoothly without time wastage. The school syllabus will be covered on time, including assessments and examinations. The new water point will also promote peace with our neighbors, as students will no longer need to leave the school compound in search of water. This will improve student safety and reduce the need for constant supervision," she concluded.

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 ceremony.

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.

Drilling.

Drilling started with excitement in the air. We continued drilling to reach a final depth of 140 meters with a final static water level of 46 meters.

Installing a pump.

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.

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.

The special filter.

When the well pad was cured, we installed a new stainless steel hand pump and sampled the water for a quality test.

The submersible pump.

As we mentioned in previous updates, after drilling, we quickly learned that the water quality was poor, with excessive levels of iron and manganese. In response, we installed a special filter, which corrected the problem but slowed down the water flow. We then installed an electric submersible pump that can reach deeper and push water more efficiently, though it had a few issues that have since been repaired. We built a large metal tower, installed a large water storage tank, and added a collection tap for students and teachers to easily collect the water they need.

The water tank and tower.

Although this project took longer than anticipated and required special attention, we are grateful to report that this upgrade will provide students and teachers with a reliable, safe drinking source for years to come.

Students collect water from the new tap.

"The school administration, chaplain, and students assembled at the water point before the ceremony began. The event started with an opening prayer and songs led by the students and the school chaplain to mark the official handover. The school principal then introduced the staff members present and gave remarks, expressing appreciation to everyone who supported the project in one way or another. She also thanked the team for the “gift of life,” emphasizing that water is essential and has greatly improved the school's well-being," shared Field Officer Victor Musemi.

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 Victor Musemi, Christine Masinde, and Joel Shitindo deployed to the site to lead the event. 25 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.

Soapmaking session.

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.

"There were no topics that students resisted during the training. The session proceeded smoothly, and students were fully engaged throughout. The facilitator also incorporated practical demonstrations, which helped enhance understanding and participation," shared Victor, who was mentioned earlier.

Handwashing session.

He continued to share how impactful the session on menstrual hygiene was for students.

"The topic that prompted the most discussion was menstrual hygiene. Students interacted freely with the topic without fear of one another. In many cultural settings, menstrual practices are considered private and are not openly discussed, but the facilitator introduced the topic from different perspectives. She trained the students on the importance of maintaining good hygiene during menstruation and how to manage both heavy and light menstrual flow. After the session, students had an opportunity to ask questions, making the discussion very interactive. Some of the questions included how to properly wear sanitary pads, how often pads should be changed and disposed of, what happens if someone wears a pad for too long, and the possible infections that may arise from poor hygiene. The trainer also provided a practical demonstration on how to wear sanitary pads, which was a key part of the session. The students were advised against poor hygiene practices, such as wearing wet undergarments or hiding them under the bed. Many students acknowledged their previous practices, expressed willingness to change, and committed to sharing the knowledge with others to promote good hygiene practices," Victor said.

Caltyne.

17-year-old Caltyne participated in the training and shared her thoughts.

"The training has sharpened my understanding of different aspects of hygiene that I previously did not fully consider. It was a privilege to participate, as it has equipped me with knowledge and skills that I can use to train others for positive change within the school and the wider community. The training highlighted several practices that I did not usually prioritize in my daily life. Moving forward, I am committed to improving my own hygiene practices and promoting cleanliness and good hygiene within the school and community," Caltyne said.

Thank you for making all of this possible!

March, 2026: Project Update: Goibei Girls High School Well Project Needs a Little More Time!

Thank you for your ongoing support of the Goibei Girls High School in Kenya. As we work to provide reliable water solutions, we sometimes encounter challenges that require us to adapt our plans. To ensure the community receives the best possible water source, we’ve made some necessary changes to the project.

We drilled the well and installed a pump, but we quickly learned that the water quality was poor, with too much iron and manganese. We decided to install a special filter, which corrected the problem but slowed down the water flow. In response, we pivoted to an electric submersible pump that can reach deeper and push water more efficiently, an upgrade for the school. All was progressing until the water level fell below the pump, at which point it burnt out. The experts at our Regional Service Hub have since repaired the pump with a special float switch, which will trigger the pump to shut off if the water level falls too low, preventing this issue in the future.

We plan to reinstall the restored pump soon and lower it to ensure it works most efficiently. Once installed, we intend to monitor the situation over the next several weeks to ensure everything is working as it should.

Although this project is taking longer than we anticipated, we want to assure the water quality and supply are safe and sufficient so that this well can serve the students and staff of this school for years to come. We know you also care deeply about those things, so we appreciate your patience.

Soon, students and teachers will be able to access water safely! We look forward to reporting more soon.

We’re always available to discuss these changes in more detail if you have any questions. Rest assured, your generosity will bring lasting water to this school and its students. Thank you for making this impact possible.

November, 2025: Exciting Progress at Goibei Girls High School!

We’re thrilled to share that, thanks to your generous support, significant change is coming for Dianah and the entire Goibei Girls High 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 Goibei Girls High School!