Lack of access to clean safe water means children are more susceptible to waterborne diseases and miss school days due to illness. Girls miss school more compared to boys because they cannot attend classes during their periods due to a lack of period products and water as well as period shaming. The long-term effects of children neglecting education can impact the future potential of a county such as Siaya County trying to rise above poverty.
Students at Majengo Secondary during a lesson
To help Siaya-Bondo constituents to rise above the poverty level, water is needed. Water is needed for everything, water is life. Besides that, not just any water but clean safe water is needed for cooking and drinking for schools to operate as required by the government of Kenya and the Ministry of Education. Maji Zima partnered with two schools to ensure that clean water is available for Majengo Secondary School and Magombe Primary School.
The above-mentioned schools are in Siaya County under Bondo Sub County an area considered to be semi-arid though it has rivers, dams, lake Kanyaboli and Yala swamp. Fish Farming is considered an economic activity. People walk long distances in search of water as most of the time dams dry and seasonal rivers run out of water. Maji Zima specializes in water filtration and has been touring the county installing water filters in schools. Maji Zima installed water filters in Majengo Secondary School and Magombe Primary Schools.
Mr Thomas Otieno Obura, the Headteacher of Majengo Secondary, said that clean water gives health, time, and education. It gives students hope and joy. It gives them a chance to reach their full potential. He added on to say, Without clean water, we cannot run our daily school program. We need water to power our brains. Scientific studies prove, Our brains consist of about 85% water, which means water is vital for optimal brain functions. When you deprive your grey matter of water you may experience symptoms such as problems with memory, focus, brain fatigue and brain fog, headaches, insomnia and even depression. Emphasized Mr Obura.
Students at Majengo Secondary sharing a bottle of clean drinking water
Just before Maji Zima installed water filters at Majengo secondary school, the water situation there was very bad; we did not have clean water. We drank water directly from the river through our piped taps. The water from Lake Namboyo was not clean, and learners would occasionally get ill from the dirty and contaminated water they consumed from the school every single school day. The water crisis affected the learners' performance. In addition, we are glad that our school now has clean safe water and we have complied with the Ministry of Education to provide clean water to our students.
Majengo Secondary School has a scout club currently consisting of more than 100 students representing all age levels in the school. The club works to promote hygiene and sanitation through drama performances, singing and education. These activities are fun for the students and instil invaluable lessons about cleanliness. The club not only reinforces important messages about sanitation and waterborne disease for its students but the students are encouraged to pass on this information to other students who are non-members. The head teacher at the Majengo school says, "We have a program that every Tuesday that the Majengo scout clubs ensure that students learn more about health issues including waterborne diseases."
Rehema Akinyi a form two student at Majengo secondary school attested to this, she shared how the scouts club in her school taught about waterborne diseases and hygiene. “Through our scout club, I learnt that to prevent waterborne illness one must always wash their hands with clean and soapy water, says Rehema.
Pupils at Magombe Primary playing within their school compound
School attendance at Magombe Primary School improved when the school got clean water Mr Julius, “We had serial absenteeism in the school because children would miss school for days as they go search for water but since the water was installed, learning is consistent. children no longer have to worry about where they will access drinking water, they are free to focus on their education and are given a better opportunity in life as an educated person in a poor country.
Maji Zima filters are a game changer for the education sector in Kenya. Teachers have to bear witness that children are in school because life has been made easier. They do not need to walk long distances in search of water and do not have to worry.
Author: Elizabeth Auma Oriedi
