April, 2022: Silungai Secondary School Rain Tanks Complete!
Silungai Secondary School in Kenya now has access to safe, clean water thanks to the completion of their rain tanks! 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 will unlock the opportunity for these students to live better, healthier lives.
Boys celebrating water.
Kelvin K., 17, said, "I can rest assured that we will be drinking clean water. The water from the river is usually dirty but we've always had no alternative. It's a sigh of relief for me."
Kelvin collecting water.
Teachers were just as excited as the students about the new rain tank on campus.
Teacher David Wanyama said, "I won't have to watch over the boys to use the water sparingly since these storage tanks will increase our water quantity. When I have the boys fully in class, I'll be able to complete the syllabus on time giving, us enough time to revise (study) for the examination. No more time will be wasted in search of water. My duty will be made easier."
Mr. Wanyama collecting water.
How We Go From Ground to Rain Tank
Construction for the two 75,000-liter rain tanks 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. Locals 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 the new rain tanks. 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 foundations. We cast the foundations by laying big stones on the level ground and reinforcing them using steel wire, concrete, and waterproof cement. We affixed both the drawing pipes and the drainage pipes 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 sides until six cement layers were in place. (The sugar sacks are removed once the interior receives its first two layers of cement.)
Inside the tanks, we cast one central and four support pillars to ensure the domes do not cave in once cemented. Meanwhile, we plastered the inner walls while roughcasting the outer walls. We dug and plastered the access areas to the taps outside the tanks, installing short staircases. In front of the access areas, we constructed soak pits where spilled water can drain from the access areas through the ground. The pits help 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 small manhole covers into the domes to allow access for future cleanings and water treatments.
We propped long wooden poles (about 75 of them!) inside the tanks to support the domes while they cured. Then it was down to the finishing touches: fitting lockable covers over the tap areas, affixing the gutters to the roofs and tanks, and setting overflow pipes in place at the edge of the domes for when the tanks reach capacity.
Once finished, we gave the rain tanks three to four weeks to undergo complete curing. Finally, we removed the interior support poles and dome sugar sacks and cleaned the tanks.
We officially handed over the rain tanks to the school. Students and staff celebrated the presence of clean water on campus. The event was an excellent 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 six new ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrines, three for the girls and three for the boys. 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.
New Knowledge
We scheduled hygiene and sanitation training with the school's staff, who ensured that the training date would be convenient for pupils and teachers. When the training day arrived, facilitators Lillian, Olivia, Dominic, Beverlyne, and Erick deployed to the site to lead the event. 19 students and teachers attended the training, which we held under an indigenous tree in the school courtyard.
Attendance was higher than expected. Some participants had to be asked to go back to class to make physical distancing effective. Many wanted to take part and ended up hanging around the area just to be a part of it.
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 club will be significantly 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.
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.
A memorable topic during the training was soapmaking. Participants were excited to see chemicals they had learned about in their chemistry lessons being used in the process. They showed great interest and did every step as the trainer directed.
Vincent E.
Chairperson of the child health club, 16-year-old Vincent, said, "From the training, I am able to wash my hands properly now. I also now understand the importance of using soap when washing hands."
Melkizadek, 16, the child health club's secretary, said, "Soapmaking is one thing that I'll make sure I practice when I get back home. I may get few chances to make it here in school but I'll do it often at home and also teach my parents and siblings. This will help everyone in my family to wash their hands with soap."
Melkizadek M.
We asked Melkizadek what it was like to be at home for most of the last year due to Kenya's national coronavirus-related school closures and what it has been like coming back to school.
"That was the most boring period of my life. Knowing that a whole year is wasted and having to repeat my class gave [me a] headache. I could study on my own but couldn't understand everything without the help of my teachers. They impart so much knowledge in us that helps us in our national examination."
He continued to share how things are now that he is back in school, "I am a happy person because I am assured now I'll be completing my high school education in time and head to university. I want to be through with education so that I can face the world out there."
When an issue arises concerning the rain tanks, the students and teachers are equipped with the necessary skills to rectify the problem and ensure the water points work appropriately. However, if the issue is beyond their capabilities, they can contact our field officers to assist them. Also, 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!
Rehabilitation Project
