Muroni Rain Tank Complete!

Muroni Primary School in Kenya now has access to a new source of safe, clean water thanks to the completion of their rain tank! The Water Project, our implementing partner, installed new latrines and handwashing stations for students, and they trained the school on improved sanitation and hygiene practices, including COVID-19 prevention. These components will unlock the opportunity for these students to live better, healthier lives. Here is the completion report provided by the Water Project:

"The water point will help in a great way since there will be no more struggles searching for water before I go to school. Carrying water to school has also been a major challenge which always caused my late arrival in school. I'm very much happy that my study skills will take a new turn," said Comfort M., a 14-year-old girl who attends Muroni.

Teachers were just as excited as the students about the new rain tank on campus.

Head Teacher Peter Busolo, 46, shared, "Something which I have always wanted to achieve was safe and accessible water to all. I know that through this water point many pupils are saved from their daily turmoils of going to fetch water before they come to school, hence they would be accorded affordable time [to study]."

How We Go From Ground to Rain Tank

Construction for this 75,000-liter rain tank was successful!

Parents, staff, and students helped our artisans gather everything needed for construction. The school's kitchen staff and a few parents helped provide meals for the artisans, while the school provided the artisans' accommodations. Locals helped our artisans with their manual labor, too.

The process officially began with our staff and school administration looking around the school compound to determine the best location for a new rain tank. This needed to be the best site with enough land and a nearby building with good, clean roofing to catch the rainwater.

Then, we cleared the site by excavating the soil to make level ground for the tank foundation. We cast the foundation by laying big stones on the level ground and reinforcing them using steel wire, concrete, and waterproof cement. We affixed both the drawing pipe and the drainage pipe as we laid the foundation.

Next, we formed the walls using a skeleton of rebar and wire mesh with sugar sacks temporarily tied to the outside as backing. We attached this to the foundation's edges so that the work team could start the Ferro-cementing process. They began layering the walls with cement, alternating with the inner and outer side until six cement layers were in place. (The sugar sacks are removed once the interior receives its first two layers of cement.)

Inside the tank, we cast one central and four support pillars to ensure the dome does not cave in once cemented. Meanwhile, we plastered the inner wall while roughcasting the outer walls. We dug and plastered the access area to the tap outside the tank, installing a short staircase. In front of the access area, we constructed a soak pit where spilled water can drain from the access area through the ground. The pit helps to keep the tap area dry and tidy.

Dome construction could begin after the tank walls settled. We attached a dome skeleton of rebar, wire mesh, and sugar sacks to the tank walls before cementing and plastering it using similar techniques as the wall construction. We included a small manhole cover into the dome to allow access for future cleanings and water treatments.

We propped long wooden poles (about 75 of them!) inside the tank to support the dome while it cured. Then it was down to the finishing touches: fitting a lockable cover over the tap area, affixing the gutters to the roof and tank, and setting an overflow pipe in place at the edge of the dome for when the tank reaches capacity.

Once finished, we gave the rain tank several weeks to undergo complete curing. Finally, we removed the interior support poles and dome sugar sacks and cleaned the tank.

We officially handed over the rain tank to the school. Students and staff celebrated the presence of clean water on campus. The event was an excellent chance for us to acknowledge the school administration and students as the primary parties entrusted with the tools we have given and remind them of our continued support as they develop. Happiness, thanksgiving, and appreciation were the order of the day, flowing in all directions.

The Head Teacher, sanitation teacher, and school President all gave congratulatory speeches. They were overwhelmed by the completion of the project and thanked us and prayed that God would give us strength to help other schools and communities.

VIP Latrines

This project funded six new ventilated improved pit (VIP) latrines, three for the girls and three for the boys. These new latrines have cement floors designed to be easy to use and clean, locking doors for safety and privacy, and vents designed to keep air flowing up and out through the roof. With a rain tank right on school property, there should be enough water to keep them clean.

New Knowledge

We scheduled hygiene and sanitation training with the school's staff, who ensured that the training date would be convenient for pupils and teachers. Before we arrived at the school, we called Mr. Gabriel, the sanitation teacher, to tell him we were on our way.

Facilitators Joyce, Adelide, and Elvine led the event. 15 students and teachers attended the training, which we held in a separate classroom reserved for the training behind the school administration block.

We focused on COVID-19 prevention, transmission, and symptoms while also covering several other topics. These included personal hygiene such as bathing, oral hygiene, and the ten steps of handwashing; environmental hygiene; child rights; operation and maintenance of the rain tank, latrines, and handwashing stations; and leadership and governance. During the latter, the students elected their peers to lead their newly formed student health club.

The club will be significantly involved in the water, sanitation, and hygiene project management at school. It will encourage good health and hygiene practices amongst their peers, teachers, and the larger community.

We involved stretches, dances, and physical activities between each topic to keep the pupils' energy up and their minds active. By the end of the training, each pupil understood their role in sustaining clean water and good health within their school community.

Handwashing Stations

The two handwashing stations were set up during training and handed over to the student health club. These were placed outside of the girls' and boys' latrines to encourage handwashing after latrine use. Health club members will teach other students how to wash their hands at the stations properly, make sure the stations are filled with water, and ensure that there is always a cleaning agent such as soap or ash available.

One of the most memorable topics for students was learning about water hygiene. Pupils were shocked to find out that water should only be kept for three days once it's collected in storage containers. Most of them said that their parents have been storing their drinking water for more than a week at a time.

Fridah C. shared her thoughts, "The training was very valuable to me because it has equipped me with very vital information that will help me create awareness [in] my fellow pupils who don't have the knowledge to make sure we're all safe."

Constantine M. said, "The training has been very valuable to me considering the fact that I have been elected as the chairperson of the [Health] Club. I will take the initiative to create awareness pertaining to the virus for my fellow pupils and community members so as to do away with misinformation that has been spreading around for their safety."

We asked Constantine what it was like to be at home for most of the last year due to Kenya's national coronavirus-related school closures and what it has been like coming back to school.

He said, "I missed learning and being close to my friends and teachers most because they're always there to help me concentrate and focus more on my education."

Now that he is back to school, Constantine said, "I feel so good since I'm now close to my teachers helping me out in areas where I could not manage while at home."

When an issue arises concerning the rain tank, the students and teachers are equipped with the necessary skills to rectify the problem and ensure the water point works appropriately. However, if the issue is beyond their capabilities, they can contact our field officers to assist them. Also, we will continue to offer them unmatchable support as a part of our ongoing monitoring and maintenance program.

Thank you for making all of this possible!