Project Status



Project Type:  Rainwater Catchment

Regional Program: Western Kenya WaSH Program

Impact: 500 Served

Project Phase:  In Service - Oct 2017

Functionality Status:  Functional

Last Checkup: 11/09/2024

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

A normal day at St. Kizito Lusumu Secondary School begins at 4am when the boarders wake up and prepare themselves for the day. They must arrive at the dining hall at 5:30am for a cup of porridge. The day scholars join them at 6:20am to eat porridge too. From 6:45 to 7:15 am the students do different cleaning chores depending on their grade. Regular classes start at 8am.

The school teaches a total of 710 students and employs 32 teachers. They also employ two cooks to prepare porridge for the students.

Water Situation

There are several students who live in the school dormitories and need water 24/7, but they suffer because the school does not have sufficient water. Another organization drilled a borehole which was fitted with a submersible pump. This electric pump was supposed to fill a tank that distributed water around school grounds, but did not work as intended. Moreover, it was expected that there are quality issues because of the dirt that is often mixed with the water. We as an organization do not work with submersible pumps simply because there is no supply chain in this area.

When the borehole fails to serve them, students have to walk two kilometers to the nearest water source to fetch drinking and cooking water as well as bathe. After drinking this water, students suffer from waterborne diseases.

The school needs a water source on campus that is both clean and reliable.

Sanitation Situation

St. Kizito Lusumu Secondary School only has pour flush toilets. Without water to run these, they are in a bit of a bind. During dry seasons, pump breakdowns, and electrical outages, these toilets become a sanitation nightmare. When the submersible is working, any and all taps can be used to wash hands. However, there are no other hand-washing stations for students to use when the taps are down.

And without a reliable water source on school grounds, the cleanliness of facilities is not reliable either. Teacher Francis Twoli said, "The health situation of the school is not good, many cases have been reported of absenteeism due to stomachaches which could be arising from unsafe water. The girls have had cases of candidiasis which is as a result of dirty toilets and overstaying with sanitary towels."

Plans: Hygiene and Sanitation Training and Hand-Washing Stations

Training will be held for two days. The facilitator will use PHAST (participatory hygiene and sanitation transformation), ABCD (asset-based community development), CTC (child to child), lectures, group discussions, and handouts to teach health topics and ways to promote good practices within the school. The CTC method will prepare students to lead other students into healthy habits, as well as kickstart a CTC club for the school. This CTC club will oversee the new facilities, such as hand-washing stations, and make sure they are kept clean and in working condition. The two hand-washing stations will be delivered to the school, and the club will fill them with water on a daily basis and make sure there is always a cleaning agent such as soap or ash.

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.

With adequate clean water, the school will have water for drinking, cooking, cleaning, and hand-washing.

Plans: VIP Latrines

Two triple-door 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. And with a rainwater catchment tank nearby, there will be enough water to keep them clean.

School administration and parents are positive that with these new facilities and training, their students’ academic performance will improve. Students will be healthy and empowered to focus on what’s important! The principal is so excited about this project; he's already worked with parents and students to collect all of the local materials needed for tank and latrine construction. St. Kizito Lusumu is sponsored by the neighboring catholic church, which is also very excited about the project. A few church members came over when we were visiting to thank us for coming, and to pray blessings over the entire project and its donors.

Project Updates


October, 2018: A Year Later: St. Kizito Lusumu Secondary School

A year ago, generous donors helped construct a rainwater catchment tank for St. Kizito Lusumu Secondary School in Kenya. The contributions of incredible monthly donors and others giving directly to The Water Promise allow teams to visit project sites throughout the year, strengthening relationships with communities and evaluating the water project over time. These consistent visits allow us to learn vital lessons and hear amazing stories. Read more...




October, 2017: St. Kizito Lusumu Secondary School Project Complete

St. Kizito Lusumu Secondary School in Kenya now has a new source of safe, clean water thanks to your generous donation. A new rainwater catchment system has been built, and there are now six new latrines being used. Two hand-washing stations have been installed, and students have received training in sanitation and hygiene. Just imagine the difference these resources will make in the lives of these students!

You made it happen, now help keep the water flowing! Join our team of monthly donors and help us maintain this rainwater catchment tank and many other projects.

The report below from our partner gives the latest details of the project. We also just updated the project page with new pictures.

Project Result: New Knowledge

We started organizing for hygiene and sanitation training right from our first visit. During this time, the school was informed that training was part of the requirements of ensuring project success. Participants were selected by the teacher in charge of sanitation. She chose student leaders from each class.

Training was held in St. Kizito Lusumu's laboratory. This was the only room available in the school, since normal classes were going on at the same time. We met 16 participants total, comprised of eight boys, seven girls, and one teacher. The participation was highly interactive with them asking questions about the tank, health and sanitation. All of these questions were encouraging, for they're a clear indicator that the training was important to these students and will have a great impact.

1 kenya4671 training

We taught an entire lesson on management and maintenance of the new tank and latrine facilities. Regular checking and cleaning of the gutter system is a must! It’s also important to treat the water while it is still in the tank. We also covered topics including but not limited to:

– Water pollution and water treatment

– Personal and environmental hygiene

– Group dynamics, leadership, and governance

– Forming an effective CTC (child to child) club

– Hand-washing

Demonstrations were used for hand-washing, tooth-brushing, solar disinfection, and many other topics. We facilitated group discussions and presentations, and students took part in role-plays. The students also received handouts which will help them teach hygiene and sanitation to their peers.

The student leaders and teacher invited to this training will form the CTC club. These individuals want to take responsibility for spreading the message of good health and hygiene among their peers. They will also be responsible for managing hand-washing stations, cleaning latrines, and keeping the school environment tidy. A water user committee has also been formed by parents and school administration, which will be responsible for overseeing and maintaining the new facilities.

4 kenya4671 tank management training

Students gathered around the tank during training to learn about proper use, management and maintenance of their new clean water facility.

We've already seen some improvements in behavior; students are using the hand-washing stations after they visit the latrines, and they're washing their dishes with soap.

16-year-old Miss Rosinah Khwaka was one of the girls invited to training. She said, "The training was very much successful and am very happy as an individual. The topics on food, water and environmental hygiene were the best. What makes these topics best is that they touch our lives directly on a daily basis. I will be able to apply this information both in school and at home. I will also share the information with my friends and everyone I will interact with."

Project Result: VIP Latrines

This project funded the installation of six new VIP (ventilated improved pit) latrines. These latrines are easy to use and easy to clean. And with a rainwater catchment tank, there should be enough water to keep them clean all the time!

12 kenya4671 finished latrines

Project Result: Hand-Washing Stations

The two hand-washing stations were delivered to school and handed over to the CTC club. These have been placed outside of the boys’ and girls’ latrines to encourage hand-washing after latrine use. CTC club members will teach other students how to properly wash their hands at these stations, and will make sure there is always soap or ash available. Now the school has the stations they need, and they have the water to fill them!

9 kenya4671 hand-washing

Project Result: Rainwater Catchment Tank

Construction for this 50,000-liter rainwater catchment tank was successful!

Parents, staff, and students helped our artisans gather everything needed for construction. All the while, women cooked meals for the artisans, and the school provided accommodations for the artisans during their work.

The process began with our staff and the headteacher moving around the school compound to try and determine the best location for a new rainwater catchment tank. This needed to be the best site with good, clean roofing to catch the rainwater.

Rainwater tank construction began with clearance of the site: excavating the soil within the required measurements to make level ground for the tank foundation. The foundation was cast by laying hardcore on a level ground and then reinforcing it using steel, concrete and waterproof cement.

As the foundation was being lain, both the drawing pipe as well as the washout pipe were affixed. The wall was built with ferro-cement techniques through six layers. The inner wall was plastered while rough casting was done on the outer part.

5 kenya4671 tank construction

The school is encouraged to clean out the inside of the tank at least three times a year.

After the superstructure had been given enough time to settle, the dome construction followed. The manhole cover was fitted, inlet pipes were connected to the roof gutters, inlet screens, ventilation pipes (breathers) and overflow pipes were all done to standards.

Finally, the catchment area was dug, plastered, and a staircase installed. Drainage was set up there, and then the tank was allowed three to four weeks to undergo complete curing before it was cleaned and handed over to St. Kizito Lusumu Secondary School. It already has some water in it!

Storekeeper Tony Wesonga witnessed construction of the tank and was there to celebrate its completion. He was overwhelmed with the great work, and was even more excited when he heard we protect springs, too. He took the initiative of mapping out two water points that need protection near where he lives! We will have to pay his community a visit.

28-year-old Erick Omide was the young teacher who attended hygiene and sanitation training. He will head up the CTC club at St. Kizito. "Thank you so much for your kindness. Our school had suffered waterborne diseases for a long time! I personally am much pleased for the project and the training, for I will be at the forefront in ensuring the tank is well-managed so as we can have sufficient and safe water for our school. God bless you so that you can continue supporting other schools," he said.




August, 2017: St. Kizito Lusumu Secondary School Project Underway

St. Kizito Lusumu Secondary School will soon have an adequate source of water thanks to your generous donation! A rainwater catchment tank and new latrines are being constructed, hand-washing stations provided, and the school is being trained on proper sanitation and hygiene practices. Imagine the impact this will have on these students! Thank you for noticing the need here, and we’ll keep you posted as the work continues. But for now, check out the stories, pictures, and maps of this school.

Thank You for partnering with us to unlock these students’ potential!




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. Kizito Lusumu Secondary School

October, 2018

The tank and latrines that were built last year are well-maintained, evidence that this project is highly valued and has a major impact on the school!

Keeping The Water Promise

There's an incredible community of monthly donors who have come alongside you in supporting clean water in St. Kizito Lusumu Secondary School.

This giving community supports ongoing sustainability programs that help St. Kizito Lusumu Secondary School 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 construct a rainwater catchment tank for St. Kizito Lusumu Secondary School in Kenya. The contributions of incredible monthly donors and others giving directly to The Water Promise allow teams to visit project sites throughout the year, strengthening relationships with communities and evaluating the water project over time. These consistent visits allow us to learn vital lessons and hear amazing stories – and we’re excited to share this one from Jemmimah Khasoha with you.

The lives of the teachers and students at St. Kizito Secondary have greatly improved in the past year. The school economy has improved so much. They used to spend money to provide enough water for the students each day, but now they no longer have to spend that money. Thanks to the tank, they can now invest in improving the students' lunches.

"The students have enough time to study during tea break and lunch hours, for they can access water easily after their meals," Deputy Principal Sarah Luvonga said. "The students' hygiene has also improved because they easily access water." Students no longer have to spend their class breaks in search of the water they need.

Sarah Luvonga

The school is very neat and clean, proving that the training which done last year was effective. The students are no longer waiting in long lines for the facilities since the construction of new latrines. They wash their hands after visiting toilets too, using the handwashing stations we delivered and the extra ones they constructed on their own. The compound is clean, for there are dustbins next to classrooms and a compost pit where the litter is being disposed. The area near the tank is also clean.

Construction of the tank is only one step along the journey toward sustainable access to clean water. The Water Project is committed to consistent monitoring of each water source. Our monitoring and evaluation program, made possible by donors like you, allows us to maintain our relationships with communities by visiting up to 4 times each year to ensure that the water points are safe and reliable.

This is just one of the many ways that we monitor projects and communicate with you. Additionally, you can always check the functionality status and our project map to see how all of our water points are performing, based on our consistent monitoring data.

One project is just a drop in the bucket towards ending the global water crisis, but the ripple effects of this project are truly astounding. This tank in St. Kizito Lusumu Secondary School is changing many lives.

Tracy Makokha and Sarah Luvonga

"My life has really changed health-wise since we got the improved sanitation facilities and tank," 17-year-old Tracy Makokha said.

This is only possible because of the web of support and trust built between The Water Project, our local teams, the community, and you. We are excited to stay in touch with this community and support their journey with safe water.

Read more about The Water Promise 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. Kizito Lusumu Secondary School 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. Kizito Lusumu Secondary School – 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 Sponsor - The Matthew Martin Family
1 individual donor(s)