September 30, 2024
A Journey Towards Sustainable Water Solutions at Uasonyiro
Located in Laikipia, Kenya, Uasonyiro Primary School faces the challenges of a semi-arid climate with only two rainy seasons each year. With 750 students, the school had just 13,000 liters of unfiltered water storage and no handwashing stations. Rainwater collection was minimal due to very limited storage, and the school’s underground storage system was contaminated and neglected, making it unsafe to drink. The school depended on expensive trucked water deliveries at 15,000 KSH per load, but even that became unsustainable as a neighboring farm, which once supplied water, reduced its support. To put things into a little more perspective, most people in rural Kenya live off of 1 USD a day, so trucked water deliveries needed the entire community’s support, and then some. Students had to carry water from home if they had the access, and to make things even worse, the school discontinued its feeding program due to the severe water shortage.
In 2023, Well Aware partnered with Uasonyiro.
After conducting a rigorous needs assessment and a hydrogeological survey, it was discovered that the area had limited groundwater potential, making a borehole unfeasible. This was disheartening for the school, the community, and our team, as our primary goal was to provide clean, reliable water in this way.
Fortunately, when we partner with a community, we exhaust all options. In situations like this, where groundwater isn’t an option, we turn to rainwater harvesting systems. We installed large tanks that can hold water through the dry season, eliminating the need for external water sources. Uasonyiro Primary now has a storage capacity of 80,000 liters, guttering systems to capture rainwater, a UV filtration system, and a water treatment system that ensures safe, clean drinking water. Importantly, the school also received new handwashing stations, ensuring students can maintain proper hygiene.
On our most recent visit this year, we were excited to see that the student population has grown to 881 children, demonstrating the positive impact of access to clean water. We also learned that another partner is constructing a new classroom block, a testament to the Ripple Effect clean water has on school development. During this visit, our team conducted an interactive WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) training, emphasizing the importance of safe hygiene practices now that students have a continuous supply of safe water and handwashing stations.
The transformation at Uasonyiro Primary School is a clear example of how access to clean water can dramatically change the health and educational prospects of a community. While a deep borehole drill was not possible due to the area’s geography, our team is committed to Clean Water for All and we are proud to be partnered with Uasonyiro for life. Having access to reliable, clean water has not only improved overall student well-being, but has also opened up new opportunities for growth and collaboration. Clean water is a game-changer for students’ health, education, and future. This is where our joy lies, knowing that we’ve played a part in elevating the school and the surrounding community.