Project
Emukaba Primary School
Project Complete!
Emukaba Primary School is located on the outskirts of Kakamega town. The school is a few kilometers from the main road that leads to town. The area is relatively flat, with intense agricultural activities on the farms. The site has also attracted town dwellers who are trying to establish homes in the village.
The school started in the year 1994 as a community school. The first class was hosted under a tree. In the year 1996, the government posted the first headteacher. The community contributed materials and built mud classes. The government development fund lifted the face of the school through the construction of modern classrooms.
The school started in the year 1994 as a community school. The first class was hosted under a tree. In the year 1996, the government posted the first headteacher. The community contributed materials and built mud classes. The government development fund lifted the face of the school through the construction of modern classrooms.
The 705 students and 25 teachers of Emukaba Primary School struggle to access sufficient water. Students carry water from home each morning to be used at the school. It is an exhausting task that leaves them weary before the day has even begun. And since students spend so much time finding and collecting water, they miss out on important learning opportunities.
"The school depends on seasonal water sources, including rainwater harvesting in the rain tanks and springs. During [the] drought season, the spring where pupils get water goes dry, and pupils are always forced to depend on [a] passing stream," said field officer Amos Emisiko.
When the rainwater tanks dry, usually after a week with so many people relying on them, students collect water from the local spring. However, the spring has issues. It has structural damage causing low water yield, and the water it provides is often contaminated, leaving those who consume it suffering from water-related illnesses.
"We find the spring already overcrowded with community members. We waste a lot of time and end up missing some lessons. During cleaning days, we are forced to spend all our game time trying to find water," said 13-year-old Faith S.
"During the drought season, the spring goes dry, and we are forced to find [an] alternative source, which is a passing stream," continued Faith.
Amidst the prevailing water crisis, teachers have also been struggling with a multitude of challenges. Teachers have been working tirelessly to ensure that their school environment remains safe and hygienic. However, the lack of adequate water supply has made it exceedingly difficult to carry out their duties effectively. As a result, teachers have been facing various issues, including health problems and increased workload, affecting their overall performance.
"Teachers are forced to buy or carry drinking water from home. In other cases, they are forced to borrow from neighbors," said teacher Joseph Mudaki (seen below).
Installing a well on the school campus would provide the students and teachers of Emukaba with easy access to water, enabling them to meet their needs without wasting energy on finding and collecting water. This would allow them to focus on building a stronger future for themselves instead of spending valuable time on water collection.
"The proposed borehole will save the pupils from long walks to find water. The proposed water point will address the issue of safe water in the school since the source will be safe, unlike when pupils bring water from different sources where some are not safe," concluded Amos.
"The school depends on seasonal water sources, including rainwater harvesting in the rain tanks and springs. During [the] drought season, the spring where pupils get water goes dry, and pupils are always forced to depend on [a] passing stream," said field officer Amos Emisiko.
When the rainwater tanks dry, usually after a week with so many people relying on them, students collect water from the local spring. However, the spring has issues. It has structural damage causing low water yield, and the water it provides is often contaminated, leaving those who consume it suffering from water-related illnesses.
"We find the spring already overcrowded with community members. We waste a lot of time and end up missing some lessons. During cleaning days, we are forced to spend all our game time trying to find water," said 13-year-old Faith S.
"During the drought season, the spring goes dry, and we are forced to find [an] alternative source, which is a passing stream," continued Faith.
Amidst the prevailing water crisis, teachers have also been struggling with a multitude of challenges. Teachers have been working tirelessly to ensure that their school environment remains safe and hygienic. However, the lack of adequate water supply has made it exceedingly difficult to carry out their duties effectively. As a result, teachers have been facing various issues, including health problems and increased workload, affecting their overall performance.
"Teachers are forced to buy or carry drinking water from home. In other cases, they are forced to borrow from neighbors," said teacher Joseph Mudaki (seen below).
Installing a well on the school campus would provide the students and teachers of Emukaba with easy access to water, enabling them to meet their needs without wasting energy on finding and collecting water. This would allow them to focus on building a stronger future for themselves instead of spending valuable time on water collection.
"The proposed borehole will save the pupils from long walks to find water. The proposed water point will address the issue of safe water in the school since the source will be safe, unlike when pupils bring water from different sources where some are not safe," concluded Amos.
What We Will Do, Together:
New Well
We conducted a hydrogeological survey at this school and the results indicated the water table beneath it is an ideal candidate for a borehole well. Due to a borehole well's unique ability to tap into a safe, year-round water column, it will be poised to serve all of the water needs for this school's large population, even through the dry months.
We conducted a hydrogeological survey at this school and the results indicated the water table beneath it is an ideal candidate for a borehole well. Due to a borehole well's unique ability to tap into a safe, year-round water column, it will be poised to serve all of the water needs for this school's large population, even through the dry months.
The school will help collect the needed construction materials such as sand, rocks, and water for mixing cement. They will also provide housing and meals for the work team, in addition to providing local laborers. We will complement their materials by providing an expert team of artisans and drilling professionals, tools, hardware, and the hand-pump. Once finished, water from the well will then be used by the school's students and staff for drinking, handwashing, cooking, cleaning, and much more.
Handwashing Stations
The student health club will oversee the two new handwashing stations we will provide, and make sure they are kept clean and in working condition. The club leaders will fill the handwashing stations with water daily and make sure they are always supplied with a cleaning agent such as soap or ash.
VIP Latrines
We will construct two triple-door latrine blocks using local materials that the school will help gather. Three doors will serve the girls and three doors will serve the boys. All of these new latrines will have cement floors that are designed to be easy to use and to clean. And with a borehole right on school property, there should be enough water to keep them clean.
Training on Health, Hygiene, COVID-19, and More
We will hold a one-day intensive training session with students, teachers, and parents. This training will cover a wide range of topics including COVID-19 symptoms, transmission routes, and prevention; personal and environmental hygiene; and the operation and maintenance of the borehole, latrines, and handwashing stations. There will be a special emphasis on handwashing.
Handwashing Stations
The student health club will oversee the two new handwashing stations we will provide, and make sure they are kept clean and in working condition. The club leaders will fill the handwashing stations with water daily and make sure they are always supplied with a cleaning agent such as soap or ash.
VIP Latrines
We will construct two triple-door latrine blocks using local materials that the school will help gather. Three doors will serve the girls and three doors will serve the boys. All of these new latrines will have cement floors that are designed to be easy to use and to clean. And with a borehole right on school property, there should be enough water to keep them clean.
Training on Health, Hygiene, COVID-19, and More
We will hold a one-day intensive training session with students, teachers, and parents. This training will cover a wide range of topics including COVID-19 symptoms, transmission routes, and prevention; personal and environmental hygiene; and the operation and maintenance of the borehole, latrines, and handwashing stations. There will be a special emphasis on handwashing.
Our team of facilitators will use a variety of methods to train, including participatory hygiene and sanitation transformation, and asset-based community development. We will initiate a student health club, which will prepare students to lead other pupils into healthy habits at school and at home. We will also lead lectures, group discussions, and provide illustrative handouts to teach health topics and ways to promote good hygiene practices within the school including handwashing and water treatment. We will then conduct a series of follow-up trainings before transitioning to our regularly scheduled support visits throughout the year.
We and the school strongly believe that all of these components will work together to improve standards at this school, which will help lead to better student academic performance and will help unlock the opportunity for these students to live better, healthier lives.
0.34177 latitude, 34.762777 longitude
H2O for Life is not a WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) project implementer. We have partnerships with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) implementing WASH in Schools projects around the world. Our NGO partners match funds needed for each school project. We also have a generous donor that provides us with an interest-free loan that, along with matching funds, allows for many projects to be started or possibly even completed before total funds have been raised. 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.
