Bringing Safe Water to Kenya’s Schools

Each morning students of Atela Primary School in Sondu, Kenya are responsible for collecting and bringing water to school.

Water from home is transferred to larger vessels and used throughout the day for washing hands and drinking.

Once water has been collected it should be treated with WaterGuard, a locally available water purification solution. However, a majority of schools are unable to purchase or do not prioritize water treatment supplies.

SWASH+ researchers found the average school expenditure for drinking and handwashing systems was $58.74 USD in the past year; however, head teachers estimated $121.32USD was needed to provide necessary supplies for drinking and handwashing at their school (Gallo, 2012).

Students’ risk of illness and subsequent absence from school is lowered if water is treated and supplied at school.

Water vessel taps frequently break, making water storage difficult. Funding to repair the taps is very

limited.

Keeping the school water containers clean can also be a struggle, especially without soap or necessary supplies.

At Wagai Primary School students use a scrub pad made from the plastic fiber of a grain sack to clean water containers.

Additional funding and commitment to school WASH funding allocation will help ensure safe drinking water for Kenyan students.

Treating and providing

clean drinking water at

schools can help

students return each day in good

health.

ReferencesGallo,K., Mwaki,A., Caruso, B., Ochari,I., Freeman, M., Saboori,S., Dreibelbis, R.,

Rheingans, R. (2012). ‘ An Evaluation of the Financial Management of WASH Programs in SWASH+ Primary Schools.’

Photography by CARE/Brendan Bannon. Photo essay by Julie Straw; edited by Malaika Cheney-Coker.

SWASH+ is a five-year applied research project to identify, develop, and test innovative approaches to school-based water, sanitation and hygiene in Nyanza Province, Kenya. The partners that form the SWASH+ consortium are CARE, Emory University, the Great Lakes University of Kisumu, the government of Kenya, and the former Kenya Water for Health Organisation (KWAHO), and Water.org. SWASH+ is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Global Water Challenge. For more information, visit www.swashplus.org.