Borehole Well and Hand Pump
Rehabilitation Project
Shivakal Primary School's 509 students and staff need a safe water source they can rely on that does not take up their time and energy, distracting them from their main goal of learning.
Their only water source currently is rainwater tanks that often sit dry. When there is no water throughout the day, students must inevitably leave the classroom at least once to make a 40-minute trip to the community spring to collect water.
12-year-old Wayne is familiar with the daily responsibility and often spends two hours a day collecting water. It is an exhausting way to spend his childhood, but he has no choice but to make the long trek to collect water at least once a day.
Wayne.
"The terrain leading to our main water point is very bad. We have to be careful when going up and down the slopes. The slopes leading to the spring are sometimes very slippery, and we fall and injure ourselves. The area around is also very bushy. You never know what could be hiding in those bushes," shared Wayne.
"I don't like it whenever I am sent to fetch water. I never really get time to do things that I like. I also feel very tired going and coming back from the spring," continued Wayne.
"Most of the time, especially in the evenings, instead of having remedials, alot of time is spent going to and from the spring for water that is then used to clean the classrooms ready for the next day. If we had a more reliable and accessible source, we would have more time to read and prepare well for our exams and general schoolwork. We would also get enough time to play," Wayne said. "Staying out of class makes me miss alot sometimes, and when the exams are set, I never know what to answer."
Students returning from collecting water at the spring.
But getting to the water point is not the only challenge. The water source is overcrowded, and tempers can flare when people feel pressured.
"We sometimes get harassed by community members, especially those who do not have children going to our school. We are also forced to wait in line for [a] long [time] for other people to fetch water before we are able to," he continued.
"We are sometimes pushed to the back by some community members who claim that the spring was made just to serve the community and not the school."
Students collect water from the spring.
The students and staff, including Wayne, deserve an accessible waterpoint that ensures they can remain in the classroom to keep learning and make progress toward their future goals.
"I want to become a teacher when I grow up. I want to help children learn new things, support them to do well in school, and inspire them to achieve their dreams. I also hope to make my family proud and improve our lives," said Wayne.
Steps Toward a Solution
Schools without reliable, on-premises water access often rely on students to fetch and carry water, leading to rationing and uncertainty about water quality. The water is typically poured into a communal storage tank and used by the entire school. With children carrying water from all different sources, it is also impossible for teachers and staff to know exactly where the water comes from and how safe it is to drink.
A new water point will be located on-premises at the school to ensure accessibility, reliability, and safety for students, teachers, and staff while meeting our school coverage goals. Having water available at the school allows children to drink, wash hands, and use sanitation facilities without leaving school grounds, preventing disruptions to lessons and reducing safety risks. A dedicated source increases water availability, reduces reliance on stored water, minimizes rationing, and ensures confidence in the safety of the water. This means staff and students are healthier, and their lessons aren’t disrupted, contributing to a better education!
Our technical experts worked with the school leadership and 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.
