This project has been completed under the direction of Peace Corps Volunteer Peter Hess. To read about the beginning of the project, CLICK HERE.
The project was to build a rainwater harvesting system to provide water for drinking and irrigation of the school’s crops and trees.
Peter reports:
The funds from Appropriate Projects were used to purchase a 5,000 L water tank, as well as to pay for cement and bricks for the development of the base of the tank.
After setting the tank on the hardened base, water pipes and taps were purchased by the school. Fundis (workers) from the community assisted in digging a series of trenches. The piping was then installed and connected to the existing water supply, and an outlet tap for drawing water from the tank was installed.
Extra piping was also used to supply water to the bag gardening area, which has recently been decimated by drought, as well as to the kitchen. By supplying clean water to the kitchen, the school should experience significantly fewer issues with sickness associated with cooking using unclean water.
The next phase of the project will be the installation of rain gutters on the nearest classrooms, to alleviate some of the costs associated with the piped water while still allowing for clean water to be collected.
There was a delay with the construction and completion of the project for three significant reasons. Kenya recently experienced a nationwide teachers’ strike, which lasted for over 3 weeks. The strike meant that no one was at the school, and it was a safety concern to even come to the school with the political upheaval. During the same time, the piped water supply was cut at the school, resulting in nearly a two-and-a-half week lack of water in the area.
The students and families in the area were forced to travel nearly 15 km to fetch water at a rate nearly 20 times the normal cost. Finally, with the students not attending school, the fees required for completing the project could not be raised until the school resumed. Thankfully, all of these issues were worked out, and the first phase of the project is complete.
The excess water reserves also have allowed for the completion of the new staffroom at the school. Most of the construction had ceased due to a lack of water, which is required for concrete. The water has also been used to make needed classroom repairs, from repairing holes to installing much-needed new blackboards. Additionally, the water was used to construct a small brick oven, which will be used to prepare bread at a more affordable price for a higher quality product than what exists currently in the community. With the water reserves, new construction projects can be undertaken, without the worry that the water supply will be cut, ceasing work.
The students are very happy to have a new clean supply of drinking and cooking water. Once again, thank you for the help.
I am sure you hear it many times, but there are many people who have been helped by this project and will be forever grateful for the generosity of Water Charity.
We wish to thank Peter for completing this project, and again extend our thanks to Scott Hess and Peter’s other family and friends for providing the funding.
