Nangina Mixed Primary School Water and Sanitation Project – Kenya

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Location
Nangina, Samia District, Western Province, Kenya

Community Description
Nangina is a farming community comprised of hill and flat land areas located in the southern part of the Samia District of Western Kenya. The town is located 10-15 kilometers from both the Uganda border and Lake Victoria. Its prime location has aided in its overpopulation and the overuse of current natural resources.

Although Lake Victoria is a major resource for water, the region suffers from water shortages. Conversely, there is often flooding as you get closer to the lake and swamp areas.

Approximately 65% of the district is considered to be living below the poverty line.

Nangina is in an endemic area for HIV/AIDS and malaria, illnesses made worse by the lack of water in general and especially the lack of clean water. Diarrhea, intestinal worms, hepatitis, typhoid, and cholera plague students, teachers, and the broader community every year.

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Nangina Mixed Primary School has 750 students and 25 teachers/staff. There is a rainwater catchment system that is currently only partially functional. As a temporary solution, parents have had to send students with small jerry cans of water daily.

The catchment system is comprised of partial piping along the roof of 2 of the 3 buildings. The piping is connected to 3 water tanks, two 1,000 liter plastic tanks and 1 underground cement tank. The 2 plastic tanks are in working order.

The piping connecting the tanks is damaged. Also, one tank does not have a spout while the other has a poor quality spout.

The large cement tank was poorly constructed and leaks at the tank bottom. The water that remains in the tank must be retrieved by climbing inside of the tank with a wooden ladder, a very dangerous procedure.

There is no protective surface under the spout causing a slippery and muddy surface at the base of the tank when water is collected.

There are no handwashing facilities near the bathroom areas.

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Project Description
This project is to repair the existing water catchment system and to add 4 handwashing stations near the toilets at Nangina Mixed Primary School.

The repairs will start with the installation of two new spouts in the plastic tanks. The damaged piping will then be repaired.

The floor in the underground cement tank will be repaired, and a pump installed to give better access to the water.

A cement path at the base of the concrete tank will be added to prevent the water spillage from creating an unsafe surface for collecting water.

Four 100-liter tanks will be used as handwashing stations. The tanks, to be located outside of the toilet areas, will be built into cement bases to ensure their safety and security. The tanks will be equipped with metal spouts. Because of their location, they will not be connected to the water catchment system at this time. Instead, the principal will assign students to be responsible for ensuring the handwashing tanks are filled from the larger tanks, and that wastewater is properly disposed of.

Water Charity funds will be used to purchase the 4 small water tanks, hand pump, cement, spouts, and piping.

The school has committed to providing the labor by students and staff, transport, and additional funds to complete the project.

Upon completion, a water sanitation day will be held to teach the community about the body’s reliance on clean water, water treatment methods, proper hand washing techniques, and more.

Project Impact
750 students and 25 teachers/staff will benefit from the project.

Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
Teneasha Pierson & Sarah Kaufmann

Comments
The improved water source will provide clean water to for drinking, for use in the current partial food program, and for cleaning. It will eliminate the need for students to bring in water for school use. The handwashing facilities will aid in reducing the incidence of disease spread by germs among students.

Dollar Amount of Project
$550.00

Donations Collected to Date
$550.00

Dollar Amount Needed
$0.00 – This project has now been fully funded, through the generosity of CannedWater4Kids.

We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify Peace Corps Volunteers Teneasha Pierson & Sarah Kaufmann of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by Teneasha, Sarah, and/or those of other PCVs in the country of service.


This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.