January, 2021: St. Peters Bwanga Primary School Project Complete!

St. Peters Bwanga 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 75,000 liters of water! We installed new latrines and handwashing stations for students, and we trained the school on improved sanitation and hygiene practices, including COVID-19 prevention. These components work together to unlock the opportunity for these students to live better, healthier lives.

"Now, I will not have to worry about being chased by dogs when going to fetch water. It will be nice also to leave my container at home," said student Patience.

"We have been taught proper handwashing, and I think the rain tank will be able to help us clean more often. At least our afternoon classes will go on as pupils will be in class and not out fetching water."

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

"Access to the water will ease my life. Students used to be getting in and out of class all the time with the excuse of going to get water, which has led to various complaints by their parents. But now, once in school, they will stay there throughout the day," said Fredrick Nambwa, the school's security guard.

"We have been planning to raise a nice kitchen garden for the school, a fence, and a few flowerbeds. With the waterpoint already in school, we will be able to do that now," Fredrick added.

How We Go From Ground to Rain Tank

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

Parents, staff, and students helped our artisans gather everything needed for construction. The school’s kitchen staff and a few parents helped provide meals for the artisans, while the school provided the artisans’ accommodations. 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 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.

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

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

Inside the tank, we cast one central and four support pillars to ensure the dome does not cave in once cemented. Meanwhile, we plastered the inner wall while roughcasting the outer walls. We dug and plastered the access area to the tap outside of the tank, where we also installed a short staircase.

In front of the access area, we constructed a soak pit where spilled water can drain from the access area through the ground. The pit helps to keep the tap area dry and tidy.

Dome construction could begin after the tank walls settled. We attached a dome skeleton of rebar, wire mesh, and sugar sacks to the tank walls before cementing and plastering it using similar techniques as the wall construction. We included a small manhole cover into the dome to allow access for future cleanings and water treatments.

We propped long wooden poles (about 75 of them!) inside the tank to support the dome while it cured. Then it was down to the finishing touches: fitting a lockable cover over the tap area, affixing the gutters to the roof and tank, and setting an overflow pipe in place at the edge of the dome for when the tank reaches capacity.

Once finished, we gave the rain tank three to four weeks to undergo complete curing. Finally, we removed the interior support poles and dome sugar sacks and cleaned the tank.

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 and remind them of our continued support as they develop. Happiness, thanksgiving, and appreciation were the order of the day flowing in all directions.

VIP Latrines

This project funded the installation of six new ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrines, three for the girls and three for the boys. The students were so excited about these new latrines that we had quite a fun photoshoot to celebrate them!

These new latrines have cement floors designed to be easy to use and clean, locking doors for safety and privacy, and vents designed to keep air flowing up and out through the roof. With a rain tank right on school property, there should be enough water to keep them clean.

Handwashing Stations

The two 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 wash their hands at the stations properly, make sure the stations are filled with water, and 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 principal, who ensured that the training date would be convenient for the school. When the training day arrived, the lead facilitator for the project Ian Nakitare along with a small group of co-trainers deployed to the site. 26 students and teachers attended the training, which we held inside a classroom for most discussions and outside for the practical sessions.

We focused on COVID-19 prevention, transmission, and symptoms while also covering several other topics. These included personal hygiene such as bathing, oral hygiene, and the ten 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.

The student health club leaders' election ended up being the most memorable part of the day as it became more of elimination than a proposal of leaders. Almost all of the students wanted to be elected leaders, but as soon as one would propose their own name for the ballot, other students would do the same and make a case for their own election, or explain why the other student might not be the best fit for the position. It became even harder when everyone was eliminated from the treasurer position, and the group had to land on a new candidate than those who recommended themselves. Finally, however, the students successfully elected their peers to fill each position.

The student health club will be greatly involved in the water, sanitation, and hygiene project management at school. It will encourage good health and hygiene practices amongst their peers, teachers, and the larger community. We involved stretches, dances, and physical activities 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.

The second most memorable part of the training was the session on personal hygiene. The facilitator led the group through various lessons on keeping themselves healthy, clean, and fit. Whenever the facilitator asked about bad practice, a few students pointed the finger at someone else they claimed did or did not do something. The pupils kept accusing others of wrongdoing until everyone had been pointed out. When the facilitator turned to good deeds, it turned out they were all in the same boat. However, the facilitator encouraged the students to be more supportive of one another and stop shaming each other with intentions of self-promotion.

"This training has been excellent. Quite a lot has been taught that I used to do wrong. Had the students known me like they knew each other, I would have been pointed out," remarked a smiling Moses Sukume, a teacher who is also the faculty advisor of the new student health club.

"A few things I noted were under the dental hygiene session, the use of toothpaste [for toothbrushing]; use of flowing water during bathing and handwashing; and foods to boost one's immune system. I have learned quite a lot, and I am very grateful to your organization. It is quite brilliant that you accompany the project with this training," he said.

"The training was good, and I learned a lot. I learned how to wash my hands properly and also the importance of wearing a mask. It will really help me keep Corona away," said student Manuel.

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 field officers' team to assist them. We will also continue to offer them unmatchable support as a part of our ongoing monitoring and maintenance program.

Thank you for making all of this possible!

December, 2020: St. Peters Bwanga Primary School Project Underway!

A severe clean water shortage at St. Peters Bwanga 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!