HWF strives to provide safe drinking water and proper sanitation facilities to primary schools in rural areas. The focus is on sexually maturing girls in order to help them manage menstruation. Many girls drop out of school at this stage due to lack of washrooms, toilets and water at school. The following are some of the activities that HWF is carrying out in this respect:
(1) Provision of Safe Water, Toilets, Washrooms to Primary Schools HWF believes that education for all is only possible in a healthy, child-friendly environment where safe sanitation and hygiene exists. Hence we are trying to provide practical solutions by constructing toilets and hand wash facilities. Poor sanitation and hygiene in schools has an impact on health; sickness results in a lower learning capacity and school attendance. Key hindrances to basic education such as poor performance, absenteeism, low enrolment and early dropout are greatly reduced in a healthy environment.
Structure of toilets-before
Most affected are the girls. A study by UNICEF showed that most girls in rural Kenya drop out of school during menstruation. This is because there are no washroom facilities for them. Because there are not enough sanitation facilities, the situation is forcing them to squat in the bush. This lack of privacy inhibits learning. HWF is addressing this issue by providing washrooms to primary schools, mainly targeting the girls. Rehabilitation/Construction of toilets is a major activity towards this goal. Ventilated improved pit latrines made of proper building materials and equipped with a ventilation pipe, are suited for the requirements of institutions such as schools. This type of toilet reduces the odor of human urine and feces. It is long lasting and presentable. It appeals to rural poor. HFW has completed over 5 such projects in primary schools in Nyamira and Kisii Districts of Nyanza Province.
Structure of toilet-after
(2) Installation of Water tanks and Gutters for the Schools
This is a technology often forgotten though much valued by the rural poor. The rural poor do not analyze the cost of their time. If this technology is used well, it will help community development. This is because much time is spent looking for water will be saved and can be used for more productive work.
This technology has been adapted in the wettest and driest places in most parts of the world. By building rain water harvesting (RWH) tanks and roofs in 5 schools HWF has minimized the problems of lack of water, reduced time spent by students looking for or fetching water, improved health hygiene and provided a health learning environment for students especially girls. This is the most effective, friendly and cost-effective systems for schools.
Girls washing hands after visiting toilet
(3) Borehole Drilling
Boreholes provide permanent availability of water to communities. Women, who at present have to walk at least 1 Km through dangerous places, are safe; girls get to school on time and have more time for serious studies instead of helping fetch water. Boreholes help reduce water conflicts. HWF is currently implementing a project on this under Nubia Village Integrated Project supported by Community Development Trust Fund. More similar projects are required in other parts of the country.
(4) Spring Protection
Building protective walls at the available springs so as to protect the water sources from siltation, contamination and misuse. Construction of water collection points to be used bu the residents for easy access.
Rehabilitation of access roads to these springs
Liaising wih the local CBOs to ensure sustainability of these projects
Training and capacity building on water management, operation and maintenance.
Rain water harvesting in primary schools, saving time used by children to fetch water at the expense of class time as shown in the picture alongside
Spring protection is one of the planned HWF activities. Unimproved springs often become shallow ponds or a stretch of soggy grounds. Because they are contaminated, they are a good breeding ground for mosquitoes, resulting in malaria and water borne/related diseases. Provision of safe water is our concern. HWF has planned a project to protect available springs in rural Nyanza so as to give the neighborhoods a stable, safe and convenient supply of water. Springs must be protected the spring from pollution, in order to increase water volume, to reduce the water contamination during user water draining, to increase reliability of water during drought and to improve access.
Children fetching water during class time
HWF staff touring springs that have been protected.
