Safe drinking water for 20 schools in Uganda

Clean Water Transformation in Schools

 Overview

For many schools, the challenge is no longer just accessing water, but ensuring that what children drink is safe. Unsafe drinking water continues to expose learners to frequent illness, affecting attendance, concentration, and overall school performance. Addressing water quality at the point of use is therefore essential in creating healthier and more supportive learning environments.

During this quarter, PaCT focused exclusively on the construction and installation of bio-sand water filtration systems in selected schools. These systems are designed to provide safe, treated drinking water directly within school compounds, reducing children’s exposure to contamination.

Implementation Progress

Between January and March 2026, PaCT advanced the installation of bio-sand water filters in targeted schools with financial support from Renown Collective. A total of 14 filtration systems were planned, with an expected reach of 6,166 learners.

By the end of the reporting period, 11 filters had been successfully constructed and installed, currently serving 5,032 learners, including 2,570 girls and 2,462 boys. These systems are now operational and accessible to learners throughout the school day, providing a reliable source of safe drinking water within school premises.

The construction process was carefully supervised to ensure quality and durability, with each unit positioned strategically to allow easy access for large numbers of pupils. Schools that previously depended on untreated water sources are now able to offer significantly safer drinking water to their learners.

Although recently installed, the filtration systems are already beginning to transform daily school routines. Learners now have access to visibly cleaner and safer water, which has increased their willingness to drink water during school hours. This is contributing to improved hydration, helping children remain more attentive and active in class.

Teachers have reported fewer cases of stomach-related illnesses commonly associated with unsafe water. In addition, classroom interruptions have reduced, as children no longer need to leave school premises in search of drinking water. The availability of safe water is creating a more stable, healthy, and productive learning environment.

Advantages of Bio-Sand Water Filters

The bio-sand filtration systems installed in schools offer several important benefits that make them highly suitable for rural and resource-limited settings:

• They remove harmful pathogens and impurities, making water safe for drinking.
• They require no electricity or chemicals, reducing operational costs.
• Built using locally available materials, they are long-lasting and easy to replicate.
• Schools can manage them with minimal technical support.
• Reduced exposure to contaminated water lowers the risk of diarrheal diseases.
• Healthy, hydrated children are more attentive and perform better in school.

Financial Update

No funds were received through the GlobalGiving platform during this reporting period. However, the progress achieved was made possible through funding from Renown Collective, which supported the construction of the filtration systems completed so far.

Out of the total project goal of $13,143, there is still a remaining funding gap of $7,491. These resources are essential to complete the remaining three filtration systems under this phase and to expand the intervention to additional schools that urgently need safe drinking water solutions.

Call for Support

A significant number of government-aided schools still lack access to safe drinking water, leaving thousands of children vulnerable to preventable diseases every day. Without immediate intervention, these conditions will continue to affect children’s health, school attendance, and long-term educational outcomes.

PaCT is therefore calling on partners, donors, and well-wishers to support this initiative. Every contribution directly enables the installation of life-saving water filtration systems in schools where the need is greatest.

By helping close the remaining funding gap of $7,491, supporters will play a critical role in ensuring that more children can learn in safe, healthy, and dignified environments.

Next Steps

In April 2026, PaCT will focus on strengthening sustainability through the formation of user committees and training of school stakeholders on operation and maintenance of the filtration systems. This will ensure long-term functionality and community ownership of the installed facilities.

Expanding access to safe drinking water remains urgent. With continued support, more schools can be reached, protecting children’s health and unlocking their full potential through improved learning conditions.