At Itivanzou Secondary School, 209 students and teachers face significant challenges in accessing an adequate supply of water on a daily basis. This shortage contributes to issues with meeting the basic needs within the school community and challenges the school's hygiene levels.
Field Officer Alex Koech described their current situation. "The water sources within the school are not sustainable because they encounter various issues. For instance, the piped water from the community borehole is sometimes cut off because it is shared with the rest of the community members who feel that the school should pay them for water supplied to the school. This usually causes quarrels between the school and the community, forcing the school to often stay without water because the piped water is their primary source."
When the school is denied access to the piped water system, they rely on plastic rain tanks.
"The plastic water tanks have a small capacity and quickly run out after the short rainy season. This water scarcity has led to poor sanitation in the school because water has to be used sparingly. It is also challenging to run agriculture programs in the school, which is necessary [for] the current school curriculum. This has led to poor performance in the subject," Alex continued.
There is only one tap for all of the students and staff to share when they collect water, which makes for long lines and wasted time. 17-year-old Emily often spends up to two hours every day waiting for and collecting water. Those two hours are meant to be spent in class, but she has no other option, as she is just trying to meet her basic needs.
"It is common to have quarrels at the waterpoint because sometimes time runs out, and everyone struggles to fetch water," she shared.
"It is very frustrating to go and fetch water because you will always find other students queuing for water, and before it even gets to your turn, the bell rings, signaling that break time is over," Emily continued.
Tension exists between students, all vying for their chance to quench their thirst. Tension also exists between the school and the community, as they share one water source. It's a situation fraught with conflict that puts everyone on edge.
When asked what she would do with her time if it weren't spent collecting water, Emily shared, "I would spend my time studying or chatting with my friends." Emily simply hopes to engage in normal teenage activities however, she lacks the time to do so without access to sufficient water.
It is important for Emily to have access to sufficient, clean water so she will no longer have to endure the frustration of her current water crisis. She dreams of becoming a doctor, and having accessible water will bring her one step closer to achieving her goals!
Steps Toward a Solution
Our technical experts worked with the local community to identify the most effective solution to their water crisis. Together, they decided to construct a rainwater harvesting system.
Rainwater Harvesting System
A rainwater collection system consists of gutters that channel rainwater effectively into large holding tanks. Attached to buildings with clean, suitable roofing, these systems are sized according to the population and rainfall patterns. Water can be stored for months, allowing for easy treatment and access. Learn more here!
Alongside each water source, we install two gravity-fed handwashing stations, enabling everyone at the school to wash their hands. Handwashing is crucial for preventing water-related illnesses within the school and community. Student “health clubs” maintain the stations, fill them with water, and supply them with soap, which we often teach them how to make.
School Education & Ownership
Hygiene and sanitation training are integral to our water projects. Training is tailored to each school's specific needs and includes key topics such as proper water handling, improved hygiene practices, disease transmission prevention, and care of the new water point.
To ensure a lasting impact, we support forming a student health club composed of elected student representatives and a teacher. These clubs promote hygiene practices schoolwide and keep handwashing stations well-stocked. This student-led model encourages a sense of ownership and responsibility.
Safe water and improved hygiene habits foster a healthier future for the entire school.