Clean Water Kenya Project #67047

End Period Poverty: Help Keep 2000 Girls in School

by Health and Water Foundation

Project Report | Nov 9, 2026
2nd & 3rd Quarter Report 2026

By Patrick Kiarie | Programs Officer

1. Project Overview

Between April and September 2026, the Girls' Education and WASH Project moved from planning to building. In the first quarter we completed the site assessment, design review and community consultations for a second gender-segregated toilet block at Nyanturago Primary School. Over the last six months we broke ground at Nyanturago, brought 25 more girls into the programme, launched our local sponsorship scheme, and widened the circle of teachers and parents who keep menstrual health on the school agenda in Kisii County.

Our goal has not changed: no girl should miss school because she has her period, and no school should force girls to choose between an exposed latrine and going home.

2. Progress Summary

Funds raised this period (all channels, including GlobalGiving): USD 2,000
Girls sponsored this period: 25
Girls sponsored since January 2025: 70
Teachers active as WASH Champions: 16 across four schools, up from 10 in the first-quarter pilot
Parents and guardians reached through forums: 110

Nyanturago Primary School toilet block

Construction began in May 2026. Our contractor worked alongside the school board of management and the local leaders who pledged their support in the first quarter, and parents contributed labour, sand and water to keep costs down. By the end of September the walls and roof were complete and finishing works were under way: doors, floor screeding and the handwashing station. The six-door block, built to the same design as Kerongo, gives girls private, lockable cubicles, a handwashing point and a space to change and dispose of pads with dignity.

Sanitary kit distribution

We supported 25 girls with reusable menstrual hygiene kits, soap and storage containers, beating our first-quarter target of 20. Every distribution came with a practical session on use, washing, drying and safe storage. Follow-up visits to 40 girls supported in 2025 and early 2026 found 36 still using their kits correctly; the remaining four received refresher guidance and replacement items.

Teacher WASH Champion Programme

The pilot group of 10 teachers grew to 16 across four schools. Champions lead regular hygiene sessions, keep a small emergency stock of pads in school, and act as the trusted adult a girl can approach when her period starts during lessons.

Parental engagement forums

We held three forums with 110 parents and guardians at Kerongo, Nyanturago and one neighbouring school. The discussions confronted the myths that keep girls at home during their periods and asked fathers, as well as mothers, to budget for sanitary supplies as they would for uniforms and books.

Adopt-a-Girl sponsorship

In July we launched Adopt-a-Girl, the local sponsorship model we committed to at the end of 2025. Seven individual sponsors in Kisii and Nairobi now cover a full year of kits and hygiene training for 12 of the girls supported this period. This is the start of a funding base that does not depend on a single donor.

Partnership with Kisii County

Our collaboration with the Kisii County Department of Health continued, with two joint health talks for pupils and one monitoring visit to the project sanitation facilities.

3. Impact Highlights

Girls supported through the project report attending school through their periods, and teachers confirm that sanitary-related absence among them has become rare.
The Kerongo Primary School block, completed in December 2025, remains in full daily use and is kept clean by the school WASH committee and a pupils' rota.
WASH Champions now handle menstrual health questions openly in class, and girls no longer need to invent excuses to leave a lesson.
Two neighbouring schools have formally asked to join the programme after seeing the Kerongo and Nyanturago facilities.

4. A Girl's Voice

Nyaboke, 13, is a Grade 7 learner at Kerongo. Before this year she stayed home for three or four days every month, using old cloth and afraid of being laughed at. She received her kit and training in May. She has not missed a school day because of her period since then, and in the second term she joined her school's science club, something she says she would never have dared to do before.

Name changed to protect her privacy.

5. Challenges

Construction costs: Cement, iron sheets and transport remain above our original estimates. This slowed the Nyanturago works and is the main reason the block was not finished by the end of September.
Demand outpaces supply: Two more schools have asked to join, and more than 60 girls in our current partner schools still lack reliable access to sanitary products.
Recurring need: Reusable kits wear out, so every girl we support carries a recurring cost rather than a one-off one. Sustained monthly giving matters more to this project than single large gifts.
Stigma: In the more remote villages, beliefs that menstruation is shameful still keep some girls silent and at home. This calls for patient, repeated engagement with families.

6. Next Steps (October to December 2026)

Complete and hand over the Nyanturago block, with a school WASH committee trained to maintain it.
Distribute kits to 30 more girls before the December holiday so they start the 2027 school year covered and we reach our target of 100.
Run our end-of-year survey on attendance and performance among supported girls.
Confirm the site for the third toilet block and open community consultations.
Present the project model to the Kisii County Government for inclusion in public school improvement plans.

7. Where We Stand Against Our 2026 Goals

Support at least 100 girls: 70 reached by September; 30 more planned by December.
Construct three gender-segregated toilet blocks: Kerongo complete; Nyanturago in finishing works; third site shortlisted.
School WASH committees: Established at Kerongo; Nyanturago's committee forms at handover.
Local sponsorship model: Adopt-a-Girl launched in July with seven sponsors.

8. Thank You

To every donor, teacher, parent and community leader who stood with us this year: thank you. Your support is the reason a girl in Kisii County can sit through a mathematics lesson without fear, and the reason a school that once had open pits now has doors that lock.

Here is what your next gift does:

USD 25 provides sanitary ware and hygiene training for five girls for a month.
USD 50 keeps one orphaned girl supplied and trained for a full year.
USD 1,000 builds one complete toilet unit with handwashing.

Donors in Kenya can give through M-Pesa Paybill 891300, Account GG67047.

Thank you for standing with the girls of Kisii County.

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Jun 11, 2026
1st Quarter Report 2026

By Patrick Kiarie | Programs Officer

1. Project Overview

The Girls' Education and WASH Project continues to address barriers that prevent school-going girls in Kisii County from accessing quality education. Through the provision of sanitary wares, hygiene education, and improved sanitation infrastructure, the project seeks to reduce absenteeism, enhance academic performance, and promote dignity and confidence among girls. During the first quarter of 2026, our focus was on expanding beneficiary support, strengthening school partnerships, and laying the groundwork for the construction of a second gender-segregated toilet block.

2. Progress Summary

Funds Raised: USD 1,000

Girls Sponsored: 15

Activities Completed: 4

Key Activities

Sanitary Ware and Hygiene Kit Distribution

Sponsored 15 girls from underserved schools across Kisii County with sanitary wares, reusable menstrual hygiene kits, soap, and hygiene supplies.
Conducted follow-up sessions with previous beneficiaries to assess utilization and impact.

Menstrual Health and Hygiene Training

Organized hygiene education sessions in three partner schools, reaching over 120 girls and 20 teachers.
Topics covered included menstrual hygiene management, personal hygiene, nutrition, and self-esteem.

Teacher Champion Program Launch

Introduced a pilot WASH Champion initiative involving 10 teachers who will support menstrual health awareness and hygiene education within their schools.

Infrastructure Planning

Completed site assessment, design review, and stakeholder consultations for the construction of a second gender-segregated toilet block at Nyanturago Primary School.
Secured community support and preliminary commitments from local leaders to assist with project implementation.

3. Impact HighlightsBeneficiary Outcomes

Girls supported through the project reported increased confidence and regular school attendance during their menstrual cycles.
Teachers observed improved classroom participation and engagement among beneficiaries.
Schools participating in the hygiene education program reported increased awareness of menstrual health issues among both students and staff.

Community Engagement

Parents and community leaders demonstrated greater support for girls' education and sanitation initiatives through school meetings and community forums.
The success of the toilet block at Kerongo Primary School continues to inspire neighboring schools to advocate for improved sanitation facilities.

4. ChallengesGrowing Demand

The number of girls requiring support continues to increase, with many schools requesting inclusion in the program.

Funding Constraints

Available resources remain insufficient to meet the growing demand for sanitary kits, hygiene education, and sanitation infrastructure.

Rising Construction Costs

Inflation and increasing material costs have affected projected budgets for planned sanitation facilities.

Cultural Stigma

Although progress has been made, misconceptions surrounding menstruation remain prevalent in some communities, requiring sustained awareness efforts.

5. Next Steps (Q2 2026)

Commence construction of the gender-segregated toilet block at Nyanturago Primary School.
Expand sanitary kit distribution to reach at least 20 additional girls.
Scale up the Teacher WASH Champion Program to more schools.
Conduct parental engagement forums focusing on menstrual health and girls' education.
Strengthen partnerships with local government departments and development partners to support sustainability.

6. Long-Term Goals

By the end of 2026, the project aims to:

Support at least 100 girls with sanitary wares and hygiene education.
Construct three gender-segregated toilet blocks in high-need schools.
Establish school-based WASH committees to maintain facilities and promote hygiene practices.
Develop a sustainable local sponsorship model to support girls' education and menstrual health needs.

7. Appreciation

We extend our sincere gratitude to all donors, volunteers, teachers, community leaders, and partners who continue to support this initiative. Your contributions are helping girls remain in school, pursue their education with confidence, and build brighter futures.

Together, we are transforming sanitation from a challenge into an opportunity for education, dignity, and empowerment.

Thank you for standing with the girls of Kisii County.

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Dec 22, 2025
4th Quarter & Annual Report

By Patrick Kiarie | Programs Officer

1. Project Overview

As 2025 concludes, our project continues its mission to empower school-going girls in Kisii County by breaking barriers linked to inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) facilities. This quarter, we focused on consolidating gains, expanding infrastructure, and strengthening community partnerships to ensure lasting change. Our holistic approach—combining sanitary ware distribution, hygiene education, and infrastructure improvement—has directly contributed to reduced absenteeism, improved academic engagement, and renewed hope for girls in underserved communities.

2. Progress Summary (October – December 2025)

Funds Raised in Q4: USD 1,500
Total Funds Raised in 2025: USD 3,500

Girls Sponsored in Q4: 10
Total Girls Sponsored in 2025: 30

Activities Completed in Q4:

Sanitary Ware & Hygiene Kits Distributed: Provided 10 girls with sustainable menstrual hygiene kits (reusable pads, soap, and containers) and conducted follow-up training on proper use and maintenance.
Completion of First Gender-Segregated Toilet Block: Partnered with county officials and a local contractor to complete a 6-door toilet facility at Kerongo Primary School, benefiting 200+ girls with safe, private sanitation.
Community & Parental Engagement Workshop: Hosted a one-day workshop for 40 parents and teachers to address cultural barriers, menstrual health myths, and the importance of supporting girls’ education.
Health Education Expansion: Integrated WASH and Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) education into after-school girls’ clubs at two partner schools, reaching 60 additional students indirectly.
Partnership Strengthening: Formalized a collaboration with Kisii County Department of Health for quarterly health talks and monitoring of sanitation facilities in project schools.

3. Annual Impact Summary (2025)

Qualitative Impact:

100% of sponsored girls reported reduced absenteeism during their menstrual cycles.
Teachers noted improved concentration in class, particularly in STEM subjects.
The new toilet block at Kerongo Primary has become a model for safe, girl-friendly infrastructure in the county, attracting interest from neighboring schools.
Parental support has grown visibly, with fathers and mothers jointly advocating for better sanitation in school management meetings.

4. Challenges

Funding vs. Demand: Despite raising $3,500 annually, the need continues to outpace resources—over 100 girls across 4 schools still lack consistent access to sanitary products and safe facilities.
Infrastructure Costs: Building durable, gender-sensitive sanitation facilities is capital-intensive, limiting the speed of scaling.
Sustainability of Kits: Ensuring a steady supply of reusable pads and hygiene materials requires ongoing funding and local supply chain solutions.
Deep-Seated Stigma: In some remote areas, myths around menstruation persist, calling for longer-term behavioral change campaigns.

5. Next Steps for Q1 2026

Expand Infrastructure Project: Begin construction of a second toilet block at Nyanturago Primary School, targeting completion by end of Q2 2026.
Launch "Adopt-a-Girl" Campaign: Create a local sponsorship program to encourage sustained individual and corporate support for girls’ sanitary kits.
Teacher Training Program: Develop a WASH-focused training module for teachers to become hygiene champions within their schools.
Impact Assessment: Conduct a detailed survey to track absenteeism rates and academic performance changes among beneficiaries over the last year.

6. Long-Term Vision

By the end of 2026, we aim to:

Directly support 100 girls with sanitary kits and hygiene education.
Construct 3 gender-segregated toilet blocks in high-need schools.
Establish a community-led WASH committee in each partner school to maintain facilities and advocate for girls’ needs.
Document and share our model with the Kisii County Government for potential integration into public school improvement plans.

7. Gratitude & Call to Action

We extend our deepest gratitude to every donor, volunteer, teacher, and community leader who has made 2025 a year of tangible change. Because of you, 30 girls have regained their dignity and are staying in school with confidence.

Our work is far from over. To reach more girls and build more facilities, we need your continued partnership. Together, we can turn sanitation from a barrier into a bridge—for education, equality, and empowerment.

Thank you for believing in a future where no girl misses school because she is a girl.

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