This project has been completed under the direction of Peace Corps Volunteer Jarod Ring. To read about the beginning of the project, CLICK HERE.
The project was to build a rainwater catchment and water storage system at the Gasanane Primary School.
Jarod Reports:
The original idea I had for the project with the funds available was a 1000 L tank that would hold 4 spigots for hand-washing. What I didn’t expect was how the school would really take such ownership of the project, which honestly is what I wanted. The head master agreed to the terms of contract, signed the agreement and started on the project.
The school added over 100 US dollars of their own money to the original amount to and purchased not a 1000 L tank but a 2500 L tank.
They also purchased 4 spigots but didn’t install them on the 2500 L tank. Only one was installed on the tank. The other 3 were added to a 110 L hand washing tank that was already equipped with one spigot, making a total of 4 spigots on this tank.
The smaller tank is placed between the latrines and the school for convenient hand washing. The water is transferred every day to the smaller tank from the reserve of the big tank.
I had originally proposed for them to purchase the standard rain gutters for the project. However, since these can be rather expensive, the school decided to make their own gutters from new metal roofing they purchased, which seems to be a fairly common thing in Rwanda, as well as cost-effective. By doing this, they were able to install the amount of gutters they needed for a third of the cost.
The head master also told me how the school planned on purchasing the required water treatment chemicals to make the water drinkable for the children.
Also, once the tank was completed, it was filled to the brim in just two hours from a steady rain forest downpour. The teachers, students and parents of the students were all very excited to have this new addition to their school and were very thankful. They even held a meeting with all the parents to show their appreciation for the catchment system.
Thanks again for helping make this happen.
We, in turn, extend our thanks to Jared for completing this excellent project, and to The Soneva SLOW LIFE Trust for providing the funding. It is indeed pleasing to get “more than we bargained for”, due to the resourcefulness and ingenuity of the school.
