Malaha Primary School Project Complete!
November 8, 2018
After the completion of the WASH project, Malaha Primary School has access to safe and quality water. The pupils used to carry water from their respective homes to school to be used for drinking and cooking. This project saves the children valuable time and enables them to concentrate on their studies.
“The pupils are very happy because they are now accessible to safe and clean water. The readily availability of water has resulted in an increase in the number of pupils at the school,” Headteacher Dominic Barasa told us during a recent visit.
“In addition, there is a remarkable improvement in the academic performance at the school.”
Initially Malaha Primary School did not have enough latrines. Most of the latrines were in poor conditions thus posing a health hazard to the school community. “The latrines that were constructed alongside the tank have alleviated this problem,” 16-year-old student Kevin Lutomia said to us. He also noted the fact that he now spends more time studying thanks to time saved waiting to use the bathroom and fetching water for school. In addition, the handwashing facilities make it possible for the students to wash their hands after visiting the toilet.
“The toilets have reduced congestion when the pupils want to use them,” Headteacher Barasa added.
Rainwater is collected off strategic areas of a roof, enters a custom guttering system (which filters out debris) and leads to a storage tank. Tanks can vary in sizes and are determined by population and average rainfall patterns. Water can be stored for months, is easily treated in the tank, and is accessible through taps. These projects are implemented at schools with proper roof lines and gutter systems to make them successful.
Rainwater is collected off strategic areas of a roof, enters a custom guttering system (which filters out debris) and leads to a storage tank. Tanks can vary in sizes and are determined by population and average rainfall patterns. Water can be stored for months, is easily treated in the tank, and is accessible through taps. These projects are implemented at schools with proper roof lines and gutter systems to make them successful.
Construction of the rainwater harvesting tank is only one step along the journey toward sustainable access to clean water. Our implementing partner, The Water Project, is committed to consistent monitoring of each water source. Their monitoring and evaluation program allows them to maintain relationships with communities by visiting up to 4 times each year to ensure that the water points are safe and reliable.
One project is just a drop in the bucket towards ending the global water crisis, but the ripple effects of this project are truly astounding. This tank in Malaha Primary School is changing many lives.
