Location
Romny, Sumska Oblast, Ukraine
Community Description
Romny is a city of approximately 50,000 people located in northern Ukraine.
Over 1200 years old, it has been an important part of the region, serving as a military, cultural and economic center in various capacities throughout its history. More recently, Romny has been a manufacturing and agricultural hub.
However, as economic conditions have declined, much of the industry that once thrived has disappeared. Availability of government funding for restoration and infrastructure maintenance has also seen a large decline, leaving local infrastructure and housing in various states of disrepair and decay, particularly the city’s water delivery and sanitation systems.
Romny School #1 operates in very old premises constructed in 1879. There are 801 students from grades 1 to 11 currently attending the school. Because of the age of the buildings, coupled with diminished funding for repairs, the plumbing network supplying the daily water needs of the students has fallen well below the standard for health and safety which most developed nations require.
A recent health study conducted across Romny city schools revealed that 45% of students at School #1 are suffering from illnesses very likely related to poor water disposal and sewage conditions. Among the illnesses observed, chronic gastritis (15%) and chronic enterocolitis (6%) can be directly linked to poor quality drinking water. The administrators, staff, and parents of Romny School #1 recognize that creating a comfortable and healthy environment for students is essential to the learning process. They agree that the issue of clean water is of primary importance.
Project Description
This project is to provide clean water to Romny School #1 by replacing corroded and leaking piping, replacing 2 sinks, and providing filtration systems.
Presently, much of the piping leading directly to and from the sinks is corroded and dirty, and has been leaking for many years. Often, the piping has simply been painted over, and sometimes even wrapped with tape to mitigate the problems caused by corrosion.
This project will replace the sinks in two locations (first and second floors) in the primary building on the School #1 premises. Plumbing and fountains will be replaced with new equipment, and filtration systems will be installed to service both locations.
The project is being implemented by a committee of concerned administrators and maintenance staff. The staff will do all of the plumbing and installation within their regular school duties.
School administrators have raised 1000 UAH from the parents of the students, to be applied toward the purchase of filtration systems.
Project Impact
801 students, 69 teachers and administrators, and 24 maintenance staff who occupy the buildings on a daily basis will directly benefit from the decreased health risks, bringing the total of direct beneficiaries to 894.
In addition, 1,411 parents and other immediate family members will benefit indirectly.
Peace Corps Volunteer Directing Project
John VanGavree
Comments
By changing the old pipes and sinks for new equipment and installing filters, the risk of using contaminated water or suffering from wastewater leakage issues is greatly diminished, thereby reducing health risks to students and staff.
John previously successfully completed the Romny School #11 Water Project – Ukraine.
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 The Soneva SLOW LIFE Trust as a part of their Clean Water Projects initiative, with the help of friends and family of Peace Corps Volunteer John VanGavree.
We encourage others to continue to donate using the Donate button below, and we will notify John of your donation. Additional funds will be used to fund the next project by the PCV and/or other projects in the country of service.
This project has been finished. To read about the conclusion of the project, CLICK HERE.