Saviefe Deme is a rural community located in the Volta region of Ghana and has a population of approximately 3,100 people. The major economic activity in the community is subsistent farming, trading, and hunting. The people are very friendly and accommodating.
Saviefe Deme Community School was established in 1964 by the Government of Ghana in partnership with the community. The school has not received any major development from the government since its establishment, so the community members always come together to support the school through communal labor with the support of other organizations. Being the only school in the area, the school currently has 150 students ranging from kindergarten to grade 9.
Unfortunately, the school does not have any source of safe water. The students have to fetch water, several times per day, from a community water source which is dirty, stagnant water that can lead to waterborne disease and illness. Recently, a severe storm caused extensive flooding, destroying the kindergarten's toilet facilities. Consequently, the children have resorted to open defecation. This situation has prompted the consideration of supporting the construction of a three-unit toilet facility. According to the school leaders, the lack of water and proper sanitation negatively affects teaching, learning, and promoting hygiene among the pupils.
Our implementing partner, Volunteers for Amelioration of Rural Areas (VARAS), will oversee the installation of a water pump, PVC piping, and a poly tank with stand. Safe water from a source in the neighboring community will be pumped directly to the Saviefe Deme School. They will also build a new three-unit toilet facility for the kindergarten students. The community will provide labor and much of the building materials (lumber/cracked stones), which can be found locally. VARAS will be in charge of ensuring the success and sustainability of this life-changing project.
H2O for Life partners with experienced NGO organizations around the world that build and support clean water, sanitation, and hygiene education projects in schools. These NGO partners cover half the total cost of every project funded through H2O for Life.
When students raise money for a project, 90% of the funds go directly to the project, and 10% supports the work that makes the project possible. This includes choosing trusted partners, managing funds responsibly, checking on projects, and reporting back so students can see the impact of their work.
This helps ensure every project is done well, stays sustainable, and truly changes lives.
In rare situations, we reserve the right to reallocate funds to alternate project(s).
Questions? Ask us at 651-756-7577 or info@h2oforlifeschools.org.
