Clean Water Brings Peace of Mind for Teachers at St. Peters Khaunga Primary School

June, 2026

Last year, your gift unlocked the potential for a brighter future for Jessica Otwisa and her students. Since then, she and the 1,261 students and teachers at St. Peter's Khaunga Primary School have had clean, reliable water. Your contribution has made a significant impact. Thank you for making a difference!

"What I like about fetching water here now is that it is safe, clean, and nearby. It doesn't take much time, and the children no longer have to struggle or miss class to get water," said Ms. Otwisa.

Before the Well Installation

Like many teachers in Western Kenya, 50-year-old Ms. Otwisa was responsible for supervising her students as they collected water to meet the school's daily water needs. Before last year’s water intervention, this task stole time from her and her students and negatively affected them.

Students used to have to carry water from home and collect it during their school day.

Drinking water from the previous source had severe consequences. Many in the school suffered from waterborne diseases that created health problems, affecting their daily lives. Limited accessibility also meant people wasted time collecting sufficient water to meet their needs. The difficult journey to collect water sapped their physical and emotional energy, creating roadblocks. For Ms. Otwisa, it lessened her opportunity to provide the students with the type of education she would like.

"Last year, before the drilling of this borehole, we faced serious challenges. The water source was far, contaminated, and unreliable. We had to request students to carry water from home. This made the students arrive late or miss school. Many children frequently fell sick due to unsafe water, which affected their attendance and performance. We also struggled to maintain proper hygiene in the school, especially handwashing and cleaning the latrines," Ms. Otwisa said.

Since the Well Installation

Your generous gift last year was much more than a simple donation; it was a powerful statement about your commitment to this school community’s future. By supporting the water solution, you made clean water an everyday reality, fostering hope for a brighter future.


Reliable and clean water lays the groundwork for improved health, education, and economic possibilities, allowing people to thrive. We frequently hear from those we interview that "water is life!"

"We can easily access enough water for drinking, cooking, and maintaining hygiene in the school. It has made our work easier and created a healthier environment for everyone," Ms. Otwisa shared.

She continued: "Since the water project was implemented, my health and the health of our learners have greatly improved. We no longer experience frequent waterborne illness like before. With access to clean and safe water, we can practice proper hygiene consistently, which has reduced sickness and absenteeism. Because of this improvement, I have been able to focus more on teaching without constant interruptions due to illness. The learners are more energetic and attentive in class. Before, many activities were limited by water shortages, but now we can maintain cleanliness, support school feeding programs, and create a healthier learning environment."

"The best thing about living with clean water is the peace of mind it brings. We no longer worry about our children getting sick from unsafe water. Clean water has improved our health, hygiene, and overall well-being. It has given us more time to focus on teaching and learning instead of struggling to find water. It truly feels like a new beginning for our school and community," she declared.

The Future is Looking Bright!

A year ago, you made a difference for Ms. Otwisa and her students. This is just the first chapter of their story as access to clean water continues to improve their lives!

At The Water Project, we value sustainability and want to ensure that people continue to thrive. We commit to monitoring this project to ensure the water is always flowing and safe to consume. We inspect system hardware, monitor water availability, conduct sanitary inspections, and collect water-quality samples to identify risks. We work with our on-the-ground team to resolve them.

You gave her a crucial tool for achieving her dreams: access to clean water. Together, we can excitedly expect that with this precious resource, her enthusiasm and courage will help her fulfill her dreams for herself and her students.

"The students' lives have become much easier because they now have reliable access to clean water. They no longer spend long hours fetching water before or after school, which means they arrive on time and have more energy to focus in class. Cases of waterborne diseases have reduced, so absenteeism has decreased. The learners are healthier, more confident, and able to participate fully in school activities," noted Ms. Otwisa.

"Our lives as teachers have become much easier because we now have reliable access to clean water at the school," she continued.

With more time and resources available, things have improved.

"The school has made several exciting developments. A new building has been constructed, providing more space for learning activities. The health club is more active, with more students wanting to get involved. These improvements were made possible by access to clean water [and] have created a better learning environment and strengthened the sense of community in our school," Ms. Otwisa proudly shared.

Ms. Otwisa washes her hands.

Navigating through intense dry spells, performing preventative maintenance, conducting quality repairs when needed and continuing to assist community leaders to manage water points are all normal parts of keeping projects sustainable. The Water Promise community supports ongoing sustainability programs that help St. Peters Khaunga Primary School maintain access to safe, reliable water.

We’d love for you to join this world-changing group committed to sustainability.

The most impactful way to continue your support of St. Peters Khaunga Primary School – and hundreds of other places just like this – is by joining our community of monthly givers.

Your monthly giving will help provide clean water, every month... keeping The Water Promise.

Project Status



Project Type:  Borehole Well and Hand Pump

Regional Program: Western Kenya WaSH Program

Impact: 1,261 Served

Project Phase:  In Service - Mar 2025

Functionality Status:  Functional

Last Checkup: 05/07/2026

Project Features


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Community Profile

Report Submitted by
Adelaide Nasimiyu, Training Officer

The 1,261 students of St. Peters Khaunga Primary School struggle to access sufficient water to meet their daily needs. The school relies on a rundown rainwater storage tank to hold collected rainwater, but it is never enough, especially during the dry season. Students do their best to haul water to school to supplement the tank's water supply, but the water they find is often contaminated, putting everyone at risk.

"The water that has been brought in [to] school, especially from the unknown sources, has caused children to fall sick. Most of the students have suffered from typhoid, diarrhea, and stomachache issues," shared Field Officer Adelaide Nasimiyu.

12-year-old student Lewis shared his experience of suffering from water-related illnesses.

Lewis by the water taps from the rain tank.

"I get sick more often because of water [from] the water we drink at school when it is not from the tank. I always fall sick drinking water that is brought from outside of the school compound. This water is not treated, and since you are thirsty, you have to drink it the way it is," said Lewis.

"I remember the last time I became sick. I was so weak because of diarrhea and vomiting. I was too weak to stand and walk on my own. I had to be supported by someone to get up from bed and even go to the latrine. My parents took me to the hospital to ensure that I got the best treatment. They supported me to ensure that I get meals that [are a] clean and balanced diet. This made me feel much better because I was satisfied that my parents care about me and are concerned about my health."

Lewis.

"When you are sick, you have to miss school so that you can go to the hospital for treatment. When you come to school while you're sick, you will not concentrate in class and disturb other students."

Suffering from water-related illnesses not only takes a toll on Lewis' health but also puts him behind academically.

Lewis misses school when he is ill, but that is not the only time he misses class. Although most students arrive with water first thing in the morning, what they bring is rarely enough for the day. As a result, they are often sent back out to find more water during the school day. This task brings anxiety to Lewis and steals more of his time and energy, making progress difficult.

Students waiting to fill their containers from the rain tank.

"I'm worried about the insufficient water at school. We only have water during the rainy season. During the dry season, we have to go to the stream to get water," continued Lewis.

"When we are being sent to fetch water outside the school compound, that is where it takes [a] long [time]. The water point where we fetch water is a bit far away from the school. Sometimes, you [will] find a long queue at the water point, and you can not force your way to the front, so you have to wait for your turn to fetch water. Sometimes, the community members where we fetch water are hostile towards us."

Students going to collect water.

Lewis dreams of a day where he has clean water access at his fingertips anytime he needs it.

"The new water point will help us have water throughout the year. This will assure us of not going to the community to search for water. The water we will access at school will be clean and safe to drink. We will not be worried of getting sick because of drinking dirty water."

"I will use my time to revise where I didn't understand while the teacher was teaching to be able to catch up with other students. I will also have time to play with my friends during break time and in the evening during game time," concluded Lewis.

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.

Project Updates


March, 2025: St. Peters Khaunga Primary School Well Complete!

Your contribution has given access to clean water for the St. Peters Khaunga Primary 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 and then trained students and staff on improved sanitation and hygiene practices. Together, these components will allow these students to thrive!

"Having a reliable water source will give me time to concentrate on my studies and also have time to play. [A] reliable water source will help me stay in class most of the time and not [be] worried about the water I will drink when thirsty. I will focus on my weak subjects so that my grades can improve," shared 13-year-old student Lewis.

Lewis.

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

"This new waterpoint will really help to keep the students in class throughout the day. Before this waterpoint was installed, the student's lessons really got disrupted; whenever water was needed, the students were sent to a nearby spring to bring water. This leads to tension and discomfort among students, reducing morale to learning," shared 43-year-old teacher Jessica Otwisa.

Teacher Jessica Otwisa.

"This waterpoint will really help the students to concentrate on their studies. They no longer need to leave school in search of water or miss school due to illness. The attendance rates will improve because of water in school. This will make the student's grades greatly improve because of enough time they have to focus on their studies, achieve their goals, and be what they have been longing to be in [the] future," Ms. Otwisa concluded.

How We Got the Water Flowing

The first step was to conduct a hydrogeological survey to determine the the best site for the school's well. Once we found the perfect spot, the team obtained approval from the government to begin drilling.

Parents, staff, and students all contributed to this well's success right 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 started with excitement in the air. We continued drilling to reach a final depth of 100 meters with a final static water level of 16.2 meters.

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 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.

When the well pad was cured, we installed a new stainless steel hand pump and sampled the water for a quality test. The results showed this water was safe for drinking!
We officially gave ownership of the new borehole to the school's students and teachers.

Students and staff celebrated the presence of clean water on campus. The event was an excellent chance to acknowledge the school administration and students and remind them of our continued support. Happiness, thanksgiving, and appreciation were the order of the day, flowing in all directions.

"The school administrators could not hide their joy after receiving the waterpoint. The ceremony began with a word of prayer from the school chaplain. Then followed by entertainment from the students. The students sang and danced praise songs," shared Field Officer Adelaide Nasimiyu.

VIP Latrines

This project funded the installation of six new ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrines.
These new latrines have cement floors designed to be easy to use and clean. 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

Handwashing stations near the well for easy access.

We also 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, fill the stations with water, and ensure that there is always soap available.

School Education

We scheduled hygiene and sanitation training with the school's staff. When the training day arrived, facilitators Mercy Wamalwa, Jacqueline Chelagat, Adelaide Nasimiyu, Mercy Odongo, Faith Muthama, and Joy Ongeri deployed to the site to lead the event. 22 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.

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.

Oral hygiene session.

Oral hygiene was a popular session for the participants. Field Officer Adelaide Nasimiyu shared: "The facilitator explained to them that it is important to brush their teeth twice a day. In the morning, after breakfast, and in the evening, after dinner. She said brushing [your] teeth after every meal will not be possible because you can't carry your brush everywhere, and most lunch times will find you away from home. The facilitator said that [the] sharing of toothbrushes may lead to [the] spread of diseases, and it is best if we avoid sharing of toothbrushes. She further explained that toothbrushes are personal items. We don't share personal items like undergarments, so the same should happen with the toothbrush."

Ibrahim.

"Today's training has increased my awareness of proper hygiene habits, correcting misconceptions and encouraging behavior changes to improve health and safety. I have learned that consistent hygiene practices such as proper handwashing, food safety, and [a] clean environment can lead to [the] prevention of diseases and promote [a] healthy lifestyle," said 13-year-old Ibrahim.

Thank you for making all of this possible!




January, 2025: Exciting Progress at St. Peters Khaunga Primary School, Thanks to You!

We’re thrilled to share that, thanks to your generous support, significant change is coming for Lewis and the entire St. Peters Khaunga Primary 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 St. Peters Khaunga Primary School!




Project Photos



Contributors

2 individual donor(s)