This project is a part of our shared program with The Water Trust. Our team is pleased to directly share the below report (edited for clarity, as needed).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Kigezi Primary School is one of the rural government aided but underserved schools in Masindi district. Whereas this school is located only 7 km from Masindi town in Isimba Parish, Mirya sub-county, Masindi district (GPS coordinates will be posted on completion), it lacks many facilities like good road access, electricity, and staff houses among others. With an enrollment of 520 pupils of which 260 are girls and 260 boys, the school has only two functional latrine blocks with one newly constructed for girls by the district local government, and with the old block shared among boys and school teachers. Sanitation at this school is wanting. Children of this school do not have any access to clean and safe water, so they cannot wash their hands after visiting a latrine or before touching food. The nearest water source for this school is 2 km away and it is community owned making it hard to be utilized by the school children especially during class hours.
(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 community would be a good candidate for a second project in the future so adequate water is available. To learn more, click here.)
The introduction of Universal Primary Education (UPE) also known as free education for all resulted in a rapid increase in the number of children in the primary schools from 5.3 million in 1997 to 7.3 million in 2002; a trend that has continued in subsequent years, straining hygiene and sanitation facilities in schools which already had low standards of sanitation and hygiene. Despite the increase in enrollment, government support to primary education has greatly reduced hence compromising the general learning environment of the school going children. The Water Trust in collaboration with Masindi District local government is implementing a school sanitation and hygiene program through construction of ventilated improved lined latrines and provision of access to clean and safe water. The social team initiates and trains school health clubs for purpose of sustainability in its efforts to ensure quality education for boys and girls becomes a reality.
This school applied for a water source and we have earmarked it for a deep borehole since other technologies like shallow wells are not applicable due to low water table. We have already formed and trained a school health club for purpose of sustainability and our community development team will continuously visit this school to monitor its functionality. Sanitation facilities prevent the transmission of diseases as it prevents human faecal contamination of water and soil. The lack of proper sanitation facilities are the cause for a significant proportion of the world’s infectious disease burden. Moreover, waterborne illnesses predominantly affect the poor and the young. When basic water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions are applied, waterborne illnesses can be effectively reduced.
CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS
June 12, 2015
An application letter from M/s. Adongo Betty, the head teacher, for a water source was received and our technical team visited the school for visibility after securing a no objection from the Chief Administrative Officer to allow TWT work in this school.
September 12, 2015
ICON Projects, one of the borehole drilling companies in Uganda, has been contracted to undertake drilling and installation of the borehole at this school.
September 21, 2015
A hydro-logical survey has been conducted and a suitable location has been identified. Drilling will soon commence and we shall keep you updated.
September 28, 2015
Drilling was done and concluded today. We now wait for pump testing whose results will be communicated soon.
October 8, 2015
The pump has been installed and tested! We shall soon hand it over to the school.
October 26, 2015
A fence to protect the well has been constructed.
November 2, 2015
This project has been handed over to the school management and they are all happy about it.
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO MADE THIS PROJECT POSSIBLE!