Borehole Well and Hand Pump
Rehabilitation Project
Every school day, 330 students and 22 staff at Ichina Primary School start without something most of us take for granted - clean water.
To get it, they have three options, and none of them are good: make a 20-minute trip to a spring, hope it rained recently, and water was captured for use, or haul water with them to school from wherever they can find it. Every minute spent chasing water is a minute stolen from learning. Every sip from an unsafe source is a risk of illness that pulls a child out of the classroom even more.
Field Officer Nelly Chebet shared her perspective on the school's water sources.
Students collect water at the spring.
"The water fetched from the spring generally appears clean. However, according to the users, during periods of heavy rainfall, the water becomes cloudy and develops a muddy odor, making it unpleasant for drinking. The conditions persist for as long as the heavy rains continue, raising concerns on the quality and safety of the water," she noted, describing the spring.
Students carry water back to school.
She shared that the rainwater that is collected often faces some of the same challenges: "Water fetched from this water source, especially at the onset of the rainy season, often contains visible debris and has a foul smell caused by decaying leaves, dust, and other accumulated contaminants. This makes water unpleasant for use during such periods."
The riskiest water is the water students collect from unknown sources near their homes or along the way to school. It is impossible to verify the water's quality, and the containers used to transport it are often dirty.
All three sources put everyone at risk with each sip. And sadly, the consequences are often serious.
"Learners frequently complain of water-related illnesses, and absenteeism in school is alarmingly high as a result of the challenge. Many students regularly suffer from stomach aches and other symptoms associated with unsafe drinking water. Those who become ill are referred to the nearby Sakali Dispensary for medical treatment, where many are diagnosed with typhoid fever. These recurrent illnesses have had a negative impact on students' health, leading to frequent absenteeism, hence affecting students' performance.
Thirteen-year-old Brenda is sadly familiar with the high cost of drinking contaminated water.
"During the rainy season, I frequently get ill, which is very frustrating. This is mainly because the water available for drinking is often unsafe and may become contaminated, leading to waterborne diseases," said Brenda.
"My parents have faced challenges in raising money to pay for medical treatment whenever I fall sick. Despite financial difficulties, they always do their best to ensure that I receive medical attention at the hospital. This greatly affected my studies because I missed lessons, assignments, and important learning activities," she continued.
Brenda recalled a recent experience: "This year, during the onset of the rains, I contracted a waterborne illness after consuming water that was believed to be contaminated. I developed a high fever, which forced my parents [to] take me to a health facility for treatment. The experience was very challenging because I lost my appetite and experienced [an] unpleasant taste whenever I drank water. As a result, I missed classes for several weeks while recovering from the illness, which affected my learning progress."
Even when Brenda is not ill, she misses out on critical classroom time when she is forced to collect water or is too exhausted upon her return to focus.
"Missing classes has negatively affected my academic performance as I have struggled to concentrate fully on my studies and prepare well for examinations. In addition, during [a] normal school day, we are required to leave [the] school compound to collect water for drinking and cleaning purposes. This takes away time for learning and affects [our] ability to focus on our studies," Brenda lamented.
"I feel sad because it is very hectic and tiresome to go for water outside the school. Carrying containers loaded with water to school makes one very exhausted, hence by the time [you are] in class, you don't have energy to concentrate on studies," she said.
Brenda dreams of a day when water will not be a persistent concern.
"My ambition is to become a journalist. Having a reliable water source of safe water in the institution will support my learning by giving me more time to attend classes, concentrate on my studies, and work towards achieving my dream of becoming a journalist," she bravely shared.
Brenda and her classmates need a long-term safe water solution so they can simply focus on their futures.
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.
