April, 2022: Kisasi Primary School Rain Tanks Complete!

Kisasi School in Kenya now has access to safe, clean water thanks to the completion of their rain tanks! We also installed new latrines and handwashing stations and trained on improved sanitation and hygiene practices. Together, these components will unlock the opportunity for these students to live better, healthier lives.

"The hygiene and sanitation standards will greatly improve," said 10-year-old Michael A.

Michael.

"Collecting water outside the school compound will cease completely. Cleaning classrooms will be conducted on a daily basis and the school administration will be in a position to prepare meals for [the] entire school population. I will work hard to improve on my academics, thus translating to [a] brighter future."

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

"The school program will change for the better," said 38-year-old teacher Jane Mudeva.

Jane.

"The pupils will have more time to study and better performance will be achieved. The syllabus coverage will be achieved on time and [the] revision process conducted timely. Academic performance will improve significantly."

How We Go From Ground to Rain Tanks

Construction for these 75,000-liter rain tanks was successful!

Parents, staff, and students helped our artisans gather everything needed for construction. The school community provided meals and accommodations for the tanks’ artisans. Locals helped our artisans with manual labor, too.

The process officially began with our staff and school administration scouting around the school compound for the best rain tank locations. The sites need enough land and nearby buildings with good, clean roofing to catch the rainwater.

Then, we cleared the sites 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 the drawing and drainage pipes as we spread the foundations.

The two foundations in progress.

Next, we formed the walls using skeletons of rebar and wire mesh with sugar sacks temporarily tied to the outside as backing. We attached the frames to the foundations’ edges to start the Ferro-cementing process. The sugar sacks are removed once the interiors receive their first two layers of cement. We layered the cement until six layers were in place, ensuring long-lasting construction.

Inside the tanks, we cast one central and four support pillars each to ensure the domes do not cave in once cemented. Meanwhile, we plastered the inner walls and roughcast the outer walls.

We dug and plastered the access areas to the taps outside the tanks, installing short staircases. We constructed soak pits in front of the access areas where spilled water will drain from the access areas through the ground. The pits help to keep the tap areas dry and tidy.

A pit under construction.

Dome construction began after the walls settled. We attached skeletons of rebar, wire mesh, and sugar sacks to the tanks’ walls before cementing and plastering, using similar techniques to the wall construction. We included small manhole covers to allow access for future cleanings, water treatments, and repairs. We propped long wooden poles (about 75 of them!) inside each tank 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 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. We removed the interior support poles and dome sugar sacks and cleaned the tanks.

Students sweep the construction site.

Finally, we handed over the rain tanks to the school. Students and staff celebrated the presence of clean water on campus.

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 to keep air flowing up and out through the roof. With two rain tanks right on school property, there should be enough water to keep them clean.

Handwashing Stations

We set up two handwashing stations and handed them over to the school’s newly formed student health club. These were placed outside 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, fill the stations with water, and ensure that there is always a cleaning agent available.

New Knowledge

We coordinated with the school's staff to schedule our hygiene and sanitation training. When the training day arrived, facilitators Victor Musemi and Mary Afandi deployed to the site to lead the event. 21 students and teachers attended the training, which we held outside under a tree to combat the hot sun.

We focused on personal hygiene, 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 school’s water, sanitation, and hygiene project management. It will encourage good health and hygiene practices amongst their peers, teachers, and the larger community. By the end of the training, each pupil understood their role in sustaining clean water and good health within their school community.

Princess.

"The training session was a success," said 14-year-old student, Princess M. "I acquired more knowledge and skills, which I will use to improve my life holistically."

Students at Kisasi were most excited to learn about the ongoing construction and tank maintenance. They asked many questions about how best to keep their tanks, gutters, and collection areas clean.

They also enjoyed learning about handwashing, and were surprised to hear that they should wash their hands before each meal. They also learned that soap is imperative for removing germs, not just water.

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 point works 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!

March, 2022: Kisasi Primary School Rain Tank Underway!

A severe clean water shortage at Kisasi 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!