Enyapora Primary School

November, 2019: Enyapora Primary School Project Complete!

Enyapora Primary School in Kenya now has access to a new source of safe, clean water thanks to the completion of their rain tank, which has the ability to collect 50,000 liters of water. We installed new latrines for students, handwashing stations, and we trained students and staff on improved sanitation and hygiene practices. All of these components work together to unlock the opportunity for these students to live better, healthier lives.

Students and staff pose with the new rain tank

Rain Tank

Construction for this 50,000-liter rain tank was successful!

Parents, staff, and students helped our artisans gather everything needed for construction. All the while, the school cooks prepared meals for the artisans, and the school provided accommodations for the artisans during their work. Local women and men helped our artisans with their manual labor, too.

The process officially began with our staff and school administration looking around the school compound to try and determine the best location for a new rain tank. This needed to be the best site with good, clean roofing to catch the rainwater.

Then, we cleared the site: excavating the soil within the required measurements to make level ground for the tank foundation. The foundation was cast by laying hardcore on level ground and then reinforcing it using steel, concrete and waterproof cement.

Tamping down concrete over stone rain tank foundation

Both the drawing pipe as well as the washout pipe were affixed as the foundation was laid. The wall was built with ferro-cement techniques through 6 layers. The inner wall was plastered while rough casting was done on the outer part. Finally, the catchment area was dug, plastered, and a staircase installed.

Cementing interior of rain tank walls

Dome construction could begin after the superstructure had been given enough time to settle. The manhole cover was fitted, inlet pipes were connected to the roof gutters, inlet screens, ventilation pipes (breathers) and overflow pipes were all done to standard.

Passing materials to the artisan working on the dome

There were no delays or major challenges experienced during the construction process. The school was ready for the project and had availed all locally available materials on time, making the artisans' process run very smoothly indeed. Once finished, the tank was given 3 to 4 weeks to undergo complete curing before it was cleaned and handed over to Enyapora Primary School, though we will continue to offer them unmatchable support as a part of our monitoring and maintenance program.

Completed rain tank with clean water flowing

The celebration was a great chance for us to acknowledge the school administration and students as the primary parties entrusted with the tools we’ve given, as well as remind them of our continued support as they develop.

"We thank God because after a period of almost a year [of] waiting, we are finally able to access clean and safe water from a newly [protected] water source. As a school, we shall do our best to ensure that the tank is well-maintained and managed so as to serve us for a long time. I don't forget to sincerely thank the donors for this precious gift and effort made for this water source to come to completion," said teacher Mrs. Adelaide Ikuha.

Students at the rain tank

The school administration was so happy about the WaSH project at the school, saying it was another development project which facelifted the school and in that they had a reason to thank God and the donors. In her remarks, the deputy head teacher even promised to write her sincere letter of appreciation to our regional office in Kakamega.

VIP Latrines

This project funded the installation of 6 new ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrines, half for girls and half for boys. All of these new latrines have cement floors that are designed to be easy to use and clean. And with a rain tank right on school property, there should be enough water to keep them clean.

Boys celebrate their new latrines

Handwashing Stations

The 2 handwashing stations were delivered to the school and handed over to the student health club. These were placed outside of the girls’ and boys’ latrines to encourage handwashing after latrine use.

Washing hands in front of the new girls' latrines

Health club members teach other students how to properly wash their hands at the stations, make sure the stations are filled with water, and work to ensure that there is always soap or ash available.

New Knowledge

Hygiene and sanitation training was scheduled with the help of the school principal and Head Teacher Carolyne Akinyi, who together ensured that the training date would be convenient for students, staff, and parent representatives. Individual teachers helped by selecting students from each class to represent the others.

The attendance was good. A total of 28 participants came to training, and among them were 2 female teachers. The weather of the day was so good as it was sunny until later in the afternoon. We held our training in a classroom with wide windows to provide plenty of air and light.

Students were eager to answer questions at training

We covered a number of topics, including personal hygiene such as bathing, oral hygiene, and handwashing with soap as a barrier from germs; and operation and maintenance of the new facilities, with each person understanding their role for long-lasting clean water and good health. The new student health club will be greatly involved in project management and will be responsible for encouraging good health and hygiene practices amongst their peers, teachers, and the larger community.

Handwashing practical

The learners were jovial having been selected to represent other pupils in the school. The precious opportunity given to them made them participate very well throughout the training. They asked relevant questions on training topics and could emphasize what they had previously learned.

Student volunteers to demonstrate toothbrushing

Dental hygiene was one of the more memorable training topics that initially learners thought was an obvious and easy thing that they really did not need to go over. What made this topic special was that as the training progressed, the proper way of toothbrushing was demonstrated. This made learners realize that they had been doing contrary to what is best for tooth and gum health. They later learned that oral hygiene was a very important topic, just like all the others.

Field Officer Victor Musemi shows students the parts of the rain tank

Operation and maintenance of all of the WaSH facilities (rain tank, handwashing stations, and latrines) was another memorable topic covered during the training. Since it was onsite training, learners were able to familiarize themselves with the components of the rain tank and the importance of each part of the tank. Also, it was a good time for learners as it helped add some action into the classroom portion of the day.

"There are a number of things that we have been taking for granted but from today onward, we are going to change. People perish because of lack of information but since we have acquired information, our lives will not remain the same," said teacher Mrs. Caroline A. Sika.

Thank you for making all of this possible!

October, 2019: Enyapora Primary School Project Underway!

A severe clean water shortage at Enyapora Primary School drains students’ time, energy, and health. Thanks to your generosity, we’re working to install a clean water point and much more.

Get to know this school through the introduction and pictures we’ve posted, and read about this water, sanitation and hygiene project. We look forward to reaching out with more good news!