Clean Water & Sanitation for Kenyan Primary School

Happy end year 2016, festive season greetings from Kenya Rainwater Association!

School dropout and low literacy rates, especially among the girl child, can be largely attributed to poor sanitation more specifically the lack of access to separate and decent toilets impedes girls access to their education, which can be supported and fostered by something as basic as a girls only toilet.

 According to a 2010 Baseline Survey only a third of schools have safe water sources in their compounds and had child friendly latrines. Although most of the schools had separate, gender specific latrines, the majority of them did not meet the national pupil to toilet ratio standards for boys or girls. It is notable that even in the schools that had latrine facilities, a significant number of these infrastructures were in a pathetic state and not gender sensitive. It thus became apparent that the schools could become dangerous grounds for infections due to the overburdened and overused sanitation facilities. To avert the situation Kenya Rainwater Association (KRA) chose to work hand in hand with various non state actors to improve pupils’ access to improved WASH as a basis of improving the health status and economic empowerment. KRA’s interventions included development of water supply and sanitation facilities in schools which is achieved with maximum participation of school and community throughout the entire project cycle including planning, implementation and management.

One such intervention has been going on in Murichu primary this year and so far a water tank has been constructed for rainwater harvesting to foster clean and safe water in the school. The other components of WASH are the gender segregated latrines comprising of separate blocks for boys, girls and teachers.

Construction of the latrines is underway and the girls block is ready for use, we expect this to boost the girls esteem when they return next year since before their latrine was in a pathetic situation, most girls would miss school during their menses as their latrines had fallen doors without a privacy wall.

 The other blocks will be constructed with your continued support, goodwill and friendship.

I want to wish you a Merry Christmas and a very happy 2017, I hope next year will be busy with activities of putting a smile on the faces of many more pupils as we promote WASH in Kenyan Primary Schools together.

God Bless You!