This is a private Primary School founded by parents in Ruhija village. Ruhija is a simple village (no electricity, one basic clinic, small local stores) on the edge of Bwindi Forest. There are few sources of income other than moving away to the closest town (Kabale) approximately 2 hours away. Tourism is developing as this is a gorilla tracking centre. At the school there is a very high level of parent/community involvement combined with a commitment to maintaining low fees and providing a good level of education and nutrition.
Water is a big issue throughout Ruhija village - there is a single community tank in the village centre but water supply is strictly controlled and villagers have to pay to collect water from that source. Free water has to be fetched from a spring or streams at some distance. At Ruhija Parents Needy Children School there is currently a small plastic tank which holds enough water for 2 days’ supply after rain. Therefore the majority of the time the children are sent to fetch stream water which includes a steep walk/climb back or, if funds allow, water is brought by a lorry. The school provides food to day pupils and the small number of boarders and therefore water is essential. The community are relatively well educated with regard to health and hygiene and all water is boiled. The school has recently constructed pit latrines but there are no hand washing facilities due to lack of water.
The school has sufficient metal roofs to collect water and rainfall in Ruhija is sufficient to supply water for most of the year. Guttering is needed as well as a permanent (concrete) tank. A Community Water Project based in Ruhija (funded by the Bakiga Tourist Lodge) has agreed to organise construction of a tank at this school if funds can be raised for the materials and labour. Their engineer has visited the school and advised that a 15,000L tank is desirable. The school community is committed to the project and agreed to provide labour, some materials and accommodation for the engineer. Once installed there will be sufficient water all year for drinking, cooking and hand washing at this school.
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.
