April, 2022: Bulupi Primary School Rain Tanks Complete!

Bulupi Primary 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.

"Accessibility of the water point will allow me [to] spend less time and effort physically collecting water," said Faith M., a 12-year-old student. "Collecting water directly in the school compound is less time-consuming, thus creating more time for studies. Cases of infections related to water will reduce drastically as our water is safe for drinking."

Before, Faith would have had to carry in a jug of water every day along with her books, which sometimes made her late for class. But now, she said, that won't be a problem anymore.

"I will be able to report to school on time, allowing me [to] enjoy ample time in my classwork," Faith explained. "Ample time for my studies will greatly affect my performance in a positive way."

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

"Access to clean water will help our pupils and teachers improve sanitation around our school," said deputy headteacher, Stephen Shitera.

"The pupils will also consume safe water and reduce on water-related diseases such as typhoid and cholera. I hope and it is my prayer that students will perform better. This water point will help minimize on time wasted on water collection and maximize on studies."

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.

Students showed interest in the construction process.

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.

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.

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.

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 Betty, Stella, and Sam deployed to the site to lead the event. 18 students and teachers attended the training, which we held outside on a cool but sunny day with a nice breeze.

Facilitator teaches students about maintenance of the rain tanks.

We focused on personal hygiene, oral hygiene, and the ten steps of handwashing; environmental hygiene; child rights; operation and maintenance of the rain tanks, 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.

In fact, leadership was the favorite topic of the day. Students enjoyed coming up with the traits and qualities that make a good leader (according to them, these are: good communication skills, being a role model, having respect and a clear vision, and being hardworking). Some students said that the election of the student health club leaders was the only fair election they had ever seen.

"Hygiene and sanitation is key in day-to-day life," said 13-year-old student Manuel S.

Manuel at the tank.

"Good hygiene and sanitation standards promote a healthy community. Today has been historical as we have been informed and equipped with the best hygiene and sanitation practices. I foresee a healthy generation in the years to come as we will be able to disseminate information gathered to the entire members of the community."

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: Bulupi Primary School Rainwater Catchment Project Underway!

A severe clean water shortage at Bulupi 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!