Conclusion of Izmail Specialized School #5 Water Project – Ukraine

This project has been completed under the direction of Peace Corps Volunteer Stuart King.

To read about the beginning of the project, CLICK HERE.

The project was to improve water sanitation and drinking water access for the school by installing 5 new water basins, 2 in the corridors and 3 in the cafeteria.

Stuart reports:

It is my pleasure to inform you that our water project with Izmail Specialized School #5 is complete! Seven (7) sinks and cabinets, five (5) water faucets, and two (2) drinking fountains were installed just in time for the start of the new school year, and students and teachers alike have been enjoying these improved conditions.

After collecting the project funds, my host organization, the Izmail Fund for Entrepreneurship Support, and I informed Anatoli Bagoon, Director of School #5, we were ready for action. Mr. Bagoon came to our office and together we re-confirmed the project’s scope.

Mr. Bagoon was tasked with arranging material and equipment purchases, and once he and his staff were able to locate sellers at the local bazaar, we set a time to meet and purchase all items specified in the budget.

On Saturday August 18, Valentina Stoykova, Chairwoman of the Fund, and I met Mr. Bagoon at the bazaar to purchase sinks, faucets, and drinking fountains. Once all price negotiations were complete, I paid the vendors directly, making sure to collect all sales receipts. The new hardware was then scheduled for pick-up by Mr. Bagoon on the following Tuesday, August 21.

School #5 arranged for and paid all installation fees, and once complete, Larisa Todorova, Office Manager of the Fund, and I returned to School #5 to give our stamp of approval. Larisa and I were very impressed and made sure to well document the transformation. Mr. Bagoon’s ear-to-ear grin spoke for itself, and he made sure to reiterate multiple times how pleased he was to receive this unexpected gift.

Several children were chosen to demonstrate the functionality of the new sinks, giggling and cutting in line as the American volunteer took their picture.

We are very happy the project was so successful and timely. Thank you for your assistance and patience throughout the process.

We, in turn, wish to thank Stuart for completing this project, and again express our gratitude to Reginald Sherrill and Stuart’s friends and family for providing the funding.