Project Status



Project Type:  Rainwater Catchment

Regional Program: Western Kenya WaSH Program

Impact: 501 Served

Project Phase:  In Service - Jul 2016

Functionality Status:  Functional

Last Checkup: 10/03/2024

Project Features


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Community Profile

This project is a part of our shared program with Western Water and Sanitation Forum (WEWASAFO). Our team is pleased to directly share the below report (edited for clarity, as needed).

Welcome to the School

The Saint Michael Emakwale Secondary School is located in Mumias East Dividion, Mumias Constituency of Kakamega County. The school has a population of 501 pupils, composed of 240 boys and 261 girls. (Editor’s Note: While this many people may have access on any given day, realistically a single water source can only support a population of 350-500 people. This site would make a great location for a second project. To learn more, click here.)

The school was started in 2012, curving off of the Emakwale Primary School already at that location. The teachers and community saw the need to offer classes beyond the primary level. The secondary school had 50 students in attendance on its opening day. Since the primary section loaned some of its classrooms to the budding secondary school, space was very limited. Emakwale Secondary School eventually bought its own land to host its facilities, students, and staff.

A normal day begins at 6:30am, as studens begin arriving for exercises and class preps. These preps begin at 7am and last for 45 minutes. Morning preps close out with a prayer and school announcements. Regular classes run from 8am to 5pm, with lunch in between.

We were introduced to this school by the Environment Minister of Kakamega County. His department assessed St. Michael Emakwale Secondary of a school in great need of improved facilities.

Water Situation

The school has no reliable, protected source of water. Students get water from a nearby unprotected spring which is also used by local households. The spring is open to contamination, since a lot of activities are carried out around it which include: washing clothes, bathing children, farming and watering animals. Students know this water source is contaminated, and fear drinking it directly.

The school has a 1000-liter container kept in the school kitchen. When students or staff fetch water, they can return to school and pour it in the container. Though many choose to boil this water before drinking, there are still cases of waterborne disease reported within the school community.

Sanitation Situation

The school currently has 10 ventilated pit latrines (VIP latrines). Four latrines are for boys, four for girls, and two for staff. These latrines are made of brick and were roofed with iron sheets. The doors are in bad condition, so are warped and can’t even close. Students, especially girls, need the privacy and dignity a working door gives!

The school does not have any hand-washing stations for students or staff to use.

Despite the difficult situations faced, the school’s attitude towards sanitation and hygiene is very positive. Each morning, cleaning is done by non-teaching staff. Though oftentimes this isn’t enough cleaning, everybody is willing to be trained on these topics to help bring about healthy changes. School board member Rober John Sumbi says that “This project will go along way in improving hygiene and sanitation in our young school that is growing very fast. We shall do all it takes to ensure that we own and support the project for its success and sustainability."

Plans: Hygiene and Sanitation Training

Students and staff will be trained over three days using Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Training (PHAST), Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS), and Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) methods. Training will include group discussions, lectures, presentations, handouts, a transect walk, and demonstrations. Training will also result in the formation of a child to child (CTC) club which will be responsible for demonstrating and promoting good hygiene and sanitation in St. Michael Emakwale Secondary School.

Plans: Rainwater Catchment Tank

A 50,000-liter rainwater catchment tank will be constructed on school grounds. Teachers, students, and parents will gather the materials needed for this project, including sand, ballast, bricks, and hardcore. This contribution will fuel a sense of responsibility for the school and community to take care of their new facilities. Once materials are mobilized, the WEWASAFO team will arrive to lead the construction effort.

Plans: VIP Latrines

Two triple-door VIP latrines will be constructed, providing three new latrines for each gender. Latrine materials will be mobilized the same way as the tank, ensuring the school feels these facilities are truly theirs.

Plans: Hand-Washing Stations

Two hand-washing stations will be delivered to the school before training. These come in the form of two 60-liter containers fitted with a tap. The training facilitator will demonstrate how to properly wash hands, and then students will have a chance to practice in groups. The child to child (CTC) club will be responsible for filling the hand-washing containers on a daily basis.

The school is in great need of water and sanitation facilities so that it can manage the growing number of students arriving from nearby communities. Since it is still a young school, this support can go a long way in enhancing student lives and improving academic performance.

Project Updates


December, 2017: A Year Later: St. Michael Emakwale Secondary School

A year ago, generous donors helped build a rainwater catchment system and latrines for St. Michael Emakwale Secondary School in Kenya. Because of these gifts and contributions from our monthly donors, partners can visit project sites throughout the year, strengthening relationships with communities and evaluating the actual water project. These consistent visits allow us to learn vital lessons and hear amazing stories – we’re excited to share this one from our partner, Jemmimah Khasoha, with you.




Project Photos


Project Type

For a rainwater collection system, we build gutters around a building with good, clean roofing to channel rain where we want it. From there, the water falls through a filtered inlet pipe into a high-capacity storage tank, the size of which is based on population and average rainfall patterns. In the tank, water can be stored for months, where it is easily treated and accessed. Learn more here!


A Year Later: St. Michael Emakwale Secondary School

December, 2017

The biggest change experienced is availability of water throughout the term. This has helped us run daily activities without struggle. The classes are clean, and the problem we used to have of sickness due to dust is no more.

Keeping The Water Promise

There's an incredible community of monthly donors who have come alongside you in supporting clean water in St. Michael Emakwale Secondary School Rainwater Catchment Project.

This giving community supports ongoing sustainability programs that help St. Michael Emakwale Secondary School Rainwater Catchment Project maintain access to safe, reliable water. Together, they keep The Water Promise.

We’re confident you'll love joining this world-changing group committed to sustainability!

A year ago, generous donors helped build a rainwater catchment system and latrines for St. Michael Emakwale Secondary School in Kenya. Because of these gifts and contributions from our monthly donors, partners can visit project sites throughout the year, strengthening relationships with communities and evaluating the actual water project. These consistent visits allow us to learn vital lessons and hear amazing stories – we’re excited to share this one from our partner, Jemmimah Khasoha, with you.


Life has changed drastically at this school. No longer do they have to hire community members to shuttle water from the spring to sustain them through the dry months. Students who study agriculture use the water from the tank to irrigate their crops so that they can harvest more to get good grades. The school compound is clean and smart, for there are now dustbins at every class door and within the compound at specific places - no litter can be seen anywhere.

The crops that the agriculture students are responsible for. They use water from the tank to water these.

Jemmimah met with Teacher Erick Malenya to talk about what he's experienced this past year. He told us, "The biggest change experienced is availability of water throughout the term. This has helped us run daily activities without struggle. The classes are clean, and the problem we used to have of sickness due to dust is no more. We are very very grateful for your support."

Rosemary, Teacher Erick, and Jemmimah.

17-year-old Rosemary Kilonzo represented the students by saying that her life had indeed changed. "Initially we wasted time lining up for water, but now it's not a challenge. A big improvement is with my health: I would have stomach pains and diarrhea every week because I was not able to wash my plate and cup after meals... there just wasn't enough water in the school." That is no longer the norm for Rosemary and hundreds of other students.


The Water Project and our partners are committed to consistent monitoring of each water source. Our monitoring and evaluation program, made possible by monthly donors, allows us to visit communities up to 4 times a year. Read more about our program and how you can help.


Navigating through intense dry spells, performing preventative maintenance, conducting quality repairs when needed and continuing to assist community leaders to manage water points are all normal parts of keeping projects sustainable. The Water Promise community supports ongoing sustainability programs that help St. Michael Emakwale Secondary School Rainwater Catchment Project maintain access to safe, reliable water.

We’d love for you to join this world-changing group committed to sustainability.

The most impactful way to continue your support of St. Michael Emakwale Secondary School Rainwater Catchment Project – and hundreds of other places just like this – is by joining our community of monthly givers.

Your monthly giving will help provide clean water, every month... keeping The Water Promise.


Contributors

Project Underwriter - WebFX