Rehabilitation Project
At the Ngombeni Primary School, 146 students and nine staff struggle to have sufficient water to meet their needs. There's a rainwater harvesting tank on campus, but it's too small and often runs dry. The only other option they have is to require students to bring water from home. This often results in having contaminated water in school.
"Depending on students to bring water results in an irregular water supply, as not all families may have enough water to send with their children. This leads to frequent water shortages at the school, impacting daily activities like drinking, cooking, and sanitation. Students arrive late to school or miss classes entirely, disrupting their education. The physical strain of carrying water can also leave students too tired to concentrate in class, affecting their academic performance. The added burden on students to carry water, often over long distances, can cause physical exhaustion and even injuries. Younger children, in particular, may find it difficult to manage this responsibility, which can negatively affect their health and energy levels," shared Field Officer Alex Koech.
11-year-old Innocent is exhausted by his current situation.
"I feel bad that we do not have enough water in our school because many of us depend on the rainwater, which is quickly depleted," Innocent shared.
Innocent.
There is not enough water in school, so he must bring it from home. The road to school is long and difficult to traverse. It's hot and dusty, and he has to carry a heavy water jug along the way. A full jerrican of water often weighs nearly forty pounds. He's worn out before he even starts his school day.
"The road we use when coming to school is steep and rocky, which makes water carrying water to school hard and risky," Innocent continued.
When he finally arrives at school, the day has already started, and he often misses important lessons, making it challenging for him to excel.
Students in class.
"I often arrive late at school, and [I'm] exhausted, which makes it difficult to focus on my studies," he continued.
Installing a large 104,000-liter rainwater harvesting tank will ensure they can collect enough water during the rainy season to last them through the dry season. Innocent won't have to bring water from home; he can get to school on time and not worry about whether his needs will be met. With clean, accessible water, Innocent can chase his future goal of becoming a lawyer.
"The school hopes to revive the boarding section, which was previously stopped due to water shortage. It also hopes to attain better academic performance since water within the school creates a conducive learning space," Field Officer Alex concluded.
Steps Toward a Solution
Our technical experts worked with the local community to identify the most effective solution to their water crisis. Together, they decided to construct a rainwater harvesting system.
Rainwater Harvesting System
A rainwater collection system consists of gutters that channel rainwater effectively into large holding tanks. Attached to buildings with clean, suitable roofing, these systems are sized according to the population and rainfall patterns. Water can be stored for months, allowing for easy treatment and access. Learn more here!
Handwashing Stations
Alongside each water source, we install two gravity-fed handwashing stations, enabling everyone at the school to wash their hands. Handwashing is crucial for preventing water-related illnesses within the school and community. Student “health clubs” maintain the stations, fill them with water, and supply them with soap, which we often teach them how to make.
School Education & Ownership
Hygiene and sanitation training are integral to our water projects. Training is tailored to each school's specific needs and includes key topics such as proper water handling, improved hygiene practices, disease transmission prevention, and care of the new water point.
To ensure a lasting impact, we support forming a student health club composed of elected student representatives and a teacher. These clubs promote hygiene practices schoolwide and keep handwashing stations well-stocked. This student-led model encourages a sense of ownership and responsibility.
Safe water and improved hygiene habits foster a healthier future for the entire school.
