March, 2020: Sawawa Secondary School Project Complete!

Please note, all photos in this report were taken before social distancing recommendations went into place.

Sawawa Secondary 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 75,000 liters of water! We installed new latrines and handwashing stations for students, 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.

Entire student health club along with staff celebrating the rain tank

"Initially I used to suffer a lot whenever I consumed the well-drawn water. Sometimes I could miss class lessons due to being sick," recalled pupil Anabel.

"The presence of clean water and sanitation will definitely improve on my health, allowing better achievement of my targeted goals in school. Achieving better academic performance among each student are great plans for the school," she said.

Anabel gives a thumbs up for clean water from the tank

Teachers were just as excited as the students about the new rain tank on campus.

"Presence of reliable, safe water in this school will significantly improve the health standards of all beneficiaries, thus curbing water-related diseases like typhoid and cholera. Absentiseem will be a past issue, allowing students to concentrate more on their studies thus leading to better academic performance. Total concentration on the studies will be enhanced leading to timely syllabus coverage," said teacher Mr. Clarence Ogode.

Teachers pose with the rain tank

Rain Tank

Construction for this 75,000-liter rain tank was successful!

Parents, staff, and students helped our artisans gather everything needed for construction. All the while, the school cooks and community members 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 enough land and a nearby building with good, clean roofing to catch the rainwater.

Laying stones on excavated tank foundation site

Then, we cleared the site by excavating the soil to make level ground for the tank foundation. The foundation was cast by laying big stones on the level ground and reinforcing them using steel wire, concrete, and waterproof cement. Both the drawing pipe as well as the drainage pipe were affixed as the foundation was laid.

Fitting the metal wall skeleton to the foundatin

Next, the walls were formed using a skeleton of rebar and wire mesh with sugar sacks temporarily tied to the outside as backing. This was attached to the foundation’s edges so that the work team could start the Ferro-cementing process, in which the walls are layered with cement alternating with the inner and outer side until 6 layers of cement are in place. (The sugar sacks are removed once the interior receives its first 2 layers of cement.)

Artisan cements interior tank walls

Inside the tank, 1 central and 4 support pillars were cast to ensure the dome does not fall down once cemented. Meanwhile, the inner wall was plastered while the outer walls received their roughcasting. Outside of the tank, the access area to the tap was dug, plastered, and a short staircase installed, along with a soak pit where spilled water can drain from the access area through the ground. This helps to keep the tap area dry and tidy.

Plastering the pillars inside the tank

Dome construction could begin after the tank walls had been given enough time to settle. Using similar techniques as used on the walls, the dome started as rebar, wire mesh, and sugar sacks and was attached to the tank walls before receiving cement and plaster. A small manhole cover was built into the dome to allow access for future cleanings and water treatments.

Community members help sew sugar sacks to the dome's wire skeleton

Long wooden poles (about 75 of them!) were placed inside the tank to support the dome while it cured. A lockable manhole cover was fitted over the tap area, the gutters were affixed to the roof and the tank, and an overflow pipe was set in place at the edge of the dome for when the tank reaches capacity.

Cementing the dome

Once finished, the rain tank was given 3-4 weeks to undergo complete curing. Finally, the interior support poles and dome sugar sacks were removed, the tank was cleaned, and we waited as rain filled the tank with fresh water. When there was a sufficient volume in the tank, we treated the water and we officially handed it over to Sawawa Secondary School.

As soon as it was ready, students and staff celebrated the presence of clean water on campus. The event was a great chance for us to acknowledge the school administration and students as the primary parties entrusted with the tools we have given, as well as remind them of our continued support as they develop. Happiness, thanksgiving, and appreciation were the order of the day flowing in all directions.

Pupil John collects water from the rain tank

VIP Latrines

This project funded the installation of 6 new ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrines, half for girls and half for boys.

Girls pose in front of their new VIP latrines with a handwashing station

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 VIP latrines and handwashing station

Handwashing Stations

The 2 handwashing stations were set up during training and handed over to the student health club. These were placed outside of the girls’ and boys’ latrines to encourage handwashing after latrine use. Health club members will 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 a cleaning agent such as soap or ash available.

New Knowledge

Hygiene and sanitation training was scheduled with the help of the school principal, who 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. When the training day arrived, facilitators Jacklyne and Patience deployed to the site.

Some 15 students and 3 parents attended training, which was held inside a classroom and then outside for practicals. We expected a total of 20 participants but 2 of the invited parents were unable to attend due to personal constraints. The venue was spacious to comfortably accommodate all of the participants. The class was well lit and ventilated enough, allowing for enough fresh air and making it conducive for the training.

Sanitation teacher addresses the students along with Facilitator Jacklyne at training

We covered a number of topics including personal hygiene such as bathing, oral hygiene, and the 10 steps of handwashing; environmental hygiene; child rights; operation and maintenance of the rain tank, latrines, and handwashing stations; and leadership and governance. During the latter, the students elected their peers to lead their newly formed student health club.

Overseeing the election of the student health club leaders

During the nomination and election process for the student health club, all the students interested in running for positions opted for the post of president. It was difficult in choosing the ideal candidate, students said, but we also felt it was motivating to know how many of the young ones want to nurture their leadership skills at a tender age.

Learning the 10 steps of handwashing using a new handwashing station

The club will be greatly involved in the water, sanitation, and hygiene project management at school and will be responsible for encouraging good health and hygiene practices amongst their peers, teachers, and the larger community. We involved stretches, dances, and physical activities in between each topic to keep the pupils’ energy up and their minds active. By the end of the training, each pupil understood their role in sustaining clean water and good health within their school community.

Pupils learn the parts and care of the rain tank in the Operations and Maintenance training practical led by Trainer Jacklyne

Operation and maintenance was a key topic that was particularly memorable, our team thought. A majority of the students had recurring questions on the best ways to ensure the installed facilities were well taken care of. One pupil named Hillary made everyone laugh when he requested the school to give him the mandate of punishing whoever is found vandalizing the facilities or going astray as per the rules laid down concerning the care of the project. Though she was joking, everyone was feeling excited about upholding the highest standards to ensure the longevity of their rain tank, latrines, and handwashing stations.

Students learn how to safely clean the rain tank's gutters

"Knowledge is power. Today's training was quite enriching and it has exposed me to new and important information that will go a long way in improving my health standards, thus leading to better academic performance," said the same student Hillary.

Students Anabel and Christine unite over clean water

When an issue arises concerning the water project, the students and teachers are equipped with the necessary skills to rectify the problem and ensure the water point works appropriately. However, if the issue is beyond their capabilities, they can contact our team of field officers to assist them. In addition, we will continue to offer them unmatchable support as a part of our ongoing monitoring and maintenance program.

Thank you for making all of this possible!

February, 2020: Sawawa Secondary School Project Underway!

A severe clean water shortage at Sawawa Secondary 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!