Rainwater Catchment
Rehabilitation Project
The 203 students and staff of Kathiani Primary School are used to going without the water they need, despite having three different water sources: a rain tank, a municipal tap stand, and water delivery.
Students collect water.
The rainwater tank is too small, the tap is unpredictable since no one knows when it will run dry, and the water delivery is costly. The school has done what it must to survive, but every day is a constant struggle.
Scoop hole water delivery.
Every minute students spend searching for water is time taken away from learning, and every dollar spent on water delivery is money the school cannot put toward students' education and infrastructure improvements.
15-year-old Rebeccah shared how the lack of water security affects her daily.
"It makes me feel worried because water is something we need every day. It is difficult to concentrate in class when you are thirsty or unsure whether there will be enough water for everyone," Rebeccah lamented.
"Our school depends mainly on municipal water, but it is not always available because the supply is often interrupted by technical problems or water shortages. When that happens, the small 10,000-liter plastic tank cannot store enough rainwater to serve all the learners, especially during the dry season. Sometimes we even have to bring water from home so that we can have enough to drink during the day," she said.
Rebeccah continued, "I feel disappointed because I know I am missing time that should be spent learning with my classmates. Carrying water is tiring, especially when the weather is very hot, and sometimes I arrive in class feeling exhausted. I also worry about missing important lessons or class discussions. I wish we had enough water at school so that every learner could focus on studying instead of worrying about where the next bucket of water will come from."
Every student at Kathiani deserves to focus on learning and building a brighter future, not just Rebeccah. With reliable, clean water access, the future can change for everyone.
Steps Toward a Solution
Schools without reliable, on-premises water access often rely on students to fetch and carry water, leading to rationing and uncertainty about water quality. The water is typically poured into a communal storage tank and used by the entire school. With children carrying water from all different sources, it is also impossible for teachers and staff to know exactly where the water comes from and how safe it is to drink.
A new water point will be located on-premises at the school to ensure accessibility, reliability, and safety for students, teachers, and staff while meeting our school coverage goals. Having water available at the school allows children to drink, wash hands, and use sanitation facilities without leaving school grounds, preventing disruptions to lessons and reducing safety risks. A dedicated source increases water availability, reduces reliance on stored water, minimizes rationing, and ensures confidence in the safety of the water. This means staff and students are healthier, and their lessons aren’t disrupted, contributing to a better education!
Our technical experts worked with the school leadership and 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
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.
