Rehabilitation Project
The Bumira Primary School has 350 students and 13 teachers who struggle to find sufficient water to meet their daily needs. They currently have two water options, but neither of them solves their water crisis; instead, they actually make matters worse.
During the rainy season, students collect water from a rain tank on their school campus, but it inevitably runs dry because so many people rely on it. When that happens, students' only other option is to collect water from unknown sources in the community. It is a tiring and risky endeavor. Full containers of water can weigh up to forty pounds, so hauling that, along with school books, exhausts students before their day begins.
"Due to our large population and complete reliance on the tank as our primary supply of water, there is insufficient water at our water source. Water is typically insufficient during the dry seasons as well. I always feel drained and exhausted because of this," shared 14-year-old student Sabrina.
In addition to feeling exhausted, students also face the consequences of consuming water that is often not safe to drink. Water-related illnesses are common and frequently cause student's health to deteriorate.
"When I drink water that other students have brought from home, I start to feel unwell. I occasionally get stomach issues, like diarrhea, after drinking water from the dirty rainwater tank," said Sabrina.
"I drank water from the school tank three weeks ago after lunch to relieve my thirst. I began experiencing stomach pain after a few hours in class, which ultimately led to diarrhea. The headteacher had to let me go home so I could get treated and get some rest since I felt so weak and exhausted," Sabrina continued.
Not only do students like Sabrina struggle with illness, but the time they miss at school also diminishes their learning opportunities and costs their families valuable resources that are essential to survival.
"My parents rushed me to a neighboring clinic as soon as the headteacher gave me the okay to go home and get medical assistance," Sabrina shared.
Like most fourteen-year-olds, Sabrina enjoys spending time with her friends, which is impossible when she is not well enough to attend school.
"If I didn't have to waste so much time fetching water, I could use that time to read and learn for my studies. I would also have plenty of time to play with my peers, which would strengthen our friendships," she said.
She has big dreams for the future, but for those dreams to come true, she needs a good education.
"In the future, I want to be a lawyer and practice law to make sure that everyone is treated equally, to assist street children in getting free education, to lessen corruption, and to help stop gender-based violence, which is a major issue in our community," Sabrina shared.
"Fetching water impacts my time at school because I am frequently absent due to the need to fetch water. Therefore, my overall learning and retention of material can suffer. Missing classes means missing out on important lessons, discussions, and opportunities for engagement. Additionally, the overall effect of reduced study time and general fatigue from fetching water can lead to lower exam scores. I may struggle to perform well on tests if I haven’t had adequate preparation, or if I am mentally and physically exhausted," she continued.
Sabrina wants to learn and make a positive difference in the world, but she and her classmates need a reliable, safe water source to prioritize learning and build brighter futures.
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.
