Water Blogged

Kutamba Primary School, located in the Rukungiri District of Uganda, is home to 250 students and their teachers. For many of these children, the school is more than a place of learning; it is also a lifeline, providing daily meals that help them concentrate in class and grow healthy. These meals depend heavily on the school’s vegetable gardens, which supplement nutrition.

Yet, for years, these gardens struggled to survive. The school relied on the national water system, which was unreliable due to frequent shortages and high bills. During dry spells, the supply would stop altogether, leaving the gardens parched. Teachers and students watched as seedlings withered in the sun, knowing that the loss of vegetables meant fewer or less nutritious meals for already vulnerable children.

Costs compounded the problem. High water bills drained the school’s scarce resources, diverting money away from books and teaching materials, while also making it impossible to extend water access to the 70 nearby households in the community. Families and children often turned to unsafe water sources, exposing themselves to waterborne diseases like diarrhea and typhoid.

The impact on students was particularly harsh. When the taps ran dry, hygiene suffered, gardens dried up, and nutrition programs faltered.It was in this challenging context that your support became transformative. By funding the construction of a shallow well at Kutamba Primary, you have provided a sustainable and reliable source of clean water. The system includes a 5,000-litre reservoir and a pump capable of delivering 25 litres per minute, ensuring the school has enough water even during extended dry spells. For the first time, the school can irrigate its gardens consistently, ensuring steady meals for children. Beyond the school, 70 households in the surrounding community now also benefit from safe, accessible water. Thanks to your generosity, the well has restored health, dignity, and opportunity to Kutamba.

Project Overview
-Hydrogeological survey to identify the best water point
-Excavation and construction of the shallow well
-Installation of an electric pump (25 liters per minute capacity)
-Connection to a reservoir tank for a continuous water supply

Achievements
-Reliable Water Access: Safe, clean water is now available daily for 250 students and staff.
-Community Benefit: For the first time, 70 households (350+ individuals) in the surrounding area have access to clean water without the barrier of costly bills.
-Reduced Financial Strain: The school no longer depends solely on the expensive national system, freeing up resources for education.
-Support for Nutrition: With reliable water, the school can now irrigate vegetable gardens, improving meals and student nutrition.
-Improved Hygiene: Adequate water has supported handwashing and cooking at school.

Community & Sustainability
Nyaka has mobilized the school administration and local community to take ownership of the well’s sustainability. The school administration will manage day-to-day operations, oversee water access, ensure accountability, monitor usage, while the community will ensure the security of the well. To strengthen long-term impact, the contractor has pledged to provide maintenance support as needed. Kutamba Clinic will continue to track cases of waterborne diseases. The plan is to measure percentage reductions in diarrhea, typhoid, and related conditions, so that health outcomes can be directly attributed to improved water access.

Conclusion
We extend our heartfelt thanks to you for addressing a long-standing challenge. Your support has provided more than water. It has delivered health, learning time, lower costs, and improved nutrition for children. The shallow well at Kutamba Primary has overcome the limitations of the national water system, lifted the burden of high water bills, and provided a sustainable source of clean water for both students and families. It also empowers the school to irrigate its gardens, strengthening student meals and overall well-being. This project demonstrates how access to clean water creates ripple effects across health, education, and community development. With your continued partnership, Nyaka hopes to replicate this model across our other schools and communities in Uganda, ensuring that many more children and households experience the gift of life, health, and opportunity.

Thank you to The Haverford School in PA for supporting this project!

– Report submitted by H2O for Life implementing partner, Nyaka.