Manyonje Primary School, Western Kenya

At Manyonje Primary School, over 1,000 bright young students and 30 dedicated teachers are reaching for a better future, so much so that they’ve launched a secondary school to keep their momentum going. But their dream is at a standstill. Without access to clean water, growth isn’t just difficult — it’s impossible. The promise of education, health, and hope is hanging in the balance.

With so many students, all hunting for clean water, you can imagine how much time is stolen from the classroom. Their primary source of water is an unprotected dug well that poses serious risks to their safety. Students have to work hard to reach the well, and sometimes, when they finally arrive, the landowner refuses to let them in.

When they are allowed in, the well has no hand pump, making the task of collecting water more dangerous and slow. Students report up to an hour-long wait in the queue, too much time not spent in school learning. "The procedure of fetching water from the protected dug well is tiring and strenuous, as the protected dug well lacks a hand pump; this is a limitation because the quantity of water fetched is insignificant," nine-year-old student Gwetolin shared. This daily ritual of water collection affects more than just her comfort—it steals away her time to study, to complete assignments, to join group discussions with her classmates, and even to play. In her words, “If I didn’t have to spend so much time getting water, I’d be able to do my assignments and submit them on time… and play with my friends.”

This isn’t just about water. It’s about potential. It’s about keeping girls like Gwetolin in school, teachers in classrooms, and dreams within reach. Clean water at Manyonje Primary School would mean more than convenience—it would mean safety, time, and the freedom to learn without fear.

The Solution

Technical experts worked with the local community to identify the most effective solution to their water crisis. They decided to drill a borehole well, construct a platform for the well, and attach a hand pump. In addition, two gravity-fed handwashing stations will be installed along with two Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) latrine blocks.

With your support, we can keep Gwetolin and her classmates safe, healthy, and in school learning.

Rutgers University-Newark: Manyonje Primary School