Environmental research

Context: Kibindu Secondary School is located in a far-flung area 45 km from Chalinze off Chalinze-Segera highway. The school was built through community labour and Government contribution in 2007. Currently, it has 270 students and reached Form II level. The number of students is growing as the classroom level rises to reach Form IV. Water is the biggest problem at the school. The whole school community depends on muddy water from unprotected well (see photo). This presents the following recurring problems to students and staff. Endless water borne diseases; longer times spent fetching water, often affecting class attendance; snake bites particularly at night when students go to fetch water and truancy by pretending to go out looking for water. The school community and the District Authority are of the view that water situation at the school can be addressed through a double strategy approach. This involves (i) combining rainwater harvesting technology and (ii) Solar powered borehole water system. Project s main Objective: To address the problem of water at Kibindu Secondary School on a sustainable basis through rainwater harvesting system and solar powered borehole technology. Project s Key Outcomes: Water supply blues at the school eliminated on sustainable basis Incidences of water borne diseases to the school community reduced by 80% Class attendance improved by 100%

Tanzania