Borehole Well and Hand Pump
Rehabilitation Project
Twelve-year-old Centrine is a student at Muroni Primary School, where 1,404 students and 36 staff members share a single rainwater harvesting tank that can no longer meet their needs. The school was founded in the early 1980s and has grown into one of the best-performing schools in the region, but its water supply hasn’t kept up. When the rains stop, and the tank runs dry, students have to bring water from home or look for it elsewhere.
Centrine at the rain tank that runs dry all too often.
We implemented the rain tank back in 2021 in an effort to help their water crisis. But as time has gone on, and the school has gone, it is no longer the best solution. We are back to keep our promise to bring Centrine clean water access, all year round.
As of now, Centrine is either waiting at the tank or at unknown community options for too much of her day.
“Sometimes there are many people waiting for water, so the queue is very long. The tank can also run out, so we have to wait for more water or look for another place to get it,” she said.
Long lines make tempers run short, and the younger or quieter students often lose out.
“Sometimes, other students are unkind when we are waiting for water. When the queue is long, some students push or argue because they want to get water quickly,” Centrine said.
Even after waiting, she can lose her place.
“When the queue is long, some students push in front of me, so I have to go to the back and wait again.”
All of this wears her down.
“I feel tired and sometimes frustrated when I am sent to fetch water, especially when there is a long queue. I also feel worried because I know I may miss some lessons or have less time to do my schoolwork. Sometimes I wish we had enough water at school so that I could stay in class and focus on my studies.”
Centrine also worries about whether the water she finds is safe.
“I worry because sometimes we are not sure if the water is clean and safe to drink. I am afraid of getting sick from drinking water that is dirty or contaminated.”
She has good reason to worry. She remembers one time clearly.
“One time I drank water that I thought was dirty, and later my stomach started hurting. I also had diarrhea and felt weak. I was not able to concentrate well in class and had to rest until I felt better.”
Getting sick keeps her out of the classroom.
“Sometimes I have to stay at home when I’m sick. I miss my lessons and sometimes school activities until I feel better.”
Missed lessons and lost study time add up. Centrine knows it’s affecting her schoolwork.
“Fetching water sometimes affects my time at school and my studies. When I spend a lot of time getting water, I have less time to do my homework, read, or prepare for exams. Sometimes, I feel tired when I get back, so it becomes harder to concentrate in class. I feel that if we had enough water at school, I would have more time to focus on my studies and improve my exam results.”
Her grades matter to her because she has big plans.
“My plan is to work hard in school and get good grades so that I can become a nurse when I grow up. I want to help sick people, take care of them, and make them feel better. I also hope to continue with my education and one day work in a good hospital where I can help many people in my community.”
A borehole on the school grounds would provide Centrine and her classmates with a reliable source of safe water year-round.
“A new water point would give us clean water at school. I would feel safer drinking it because I would know that the water is safe and I wouldn’t have to worry about getting sick,” she said.
The time she gets back would go straight into her goals and being a kid.
“I would spend more time doing my homework and studying. I would also have more time to play with my friends, rest, and take part in school activities.”
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.
