Water Blogged

Mount Calvary Secondary School, located in Mtitu Village of the Kilolo District, has a total enrollment of 109 students. The school employs 10 staff members, including both teachers and non-teaching personnel.

BEFORE:
A significant challenge faced by Mount Calvary has been the lack of access to safe and clean water, a common issue in many schools and villages across Iringa. Students were forced to spend considerable time collecting water from unsafe sources for various domestic uses, including cleaning, cooking, and drinking. Typically, students collected water from the Lukosi River, which is considered unsafe and contaminated.

Each student was required to bring at least three buckets of water to school in the morning. Additionally, students were expected to fetch water from the river during break times. However, the river water is not safe or clean, posing a significant risk to their health and overall well-being. Waterborne diseases have been prevalent among students and the local community due to the use of water from these unsafe sources.

AFTER:
Thanks to the collaboration between H2O for Life, The Giolas Foundation, and St. Paul Partners, a shallow well has been drilled at Mount Calvary Secondary School. This well will provide clean and safe water for students, staff, their families, and the surrounding village. As a result, both the health and academic performance of the students will improve.

To ensure the project’s sustainability, WASH training was conducted at Mount Calvary. Both students and staff participated in training sessions focused on project management and sustainability. The goal of this training was to enhance the sense of ownership among the school and its management regarding the project and to equip them with the skills needed for its ongoing maintenance. The school has committed to taking good care of the project and has agreed to allocate budgets for any necessary repairs in the future.

Thank you to The Giolas Foundation for supporting this project!