Back in the classroom, where they should be

He explains, “All the children were walking long distances to schools in neighboring communities and I felt we needed to do something in our community.”

Thanks to Hamidu’s efforts, the school has been a success, but it has not been without challenges.

“Water was our greatest problem at the school for many years. We really struggled to provide enough water and students suffered.”  

The school used to spend $20 every month (a considerable sum for a community school in rural Uganda) for a local vendor to bring water to the school, but it was not enough water to meet demand. Students would also be sent to collect water at the nearest borehole, over two miles away from the school.

The students who were sent would miss an entire afternoon of school and return exhausted.  

One jerry can of water weighs close to 50 pounds and carrying it for over two miles is an arduous task for an adult, let alone a child. “It was very difficult. We didn’t want to send students, but teachers were busy and we needed water for drinking, cleaning and preparing food for the children,” explains Hamidu.  

The plight of Hamidu and his students changed in 2019 whenWater Compass began operating a solar-powered water station in Kiziiko - a two-minute walk from the school. “Amen!” shouts Hamidu when asked about the water station.

“Our prayers were answered. With the water station, we no longer suffer for water at the school and we save a lot of money.”  

Now the school only spends $4 per month, a savings of 80%, for a vendor to supply enough water for all the schools needs. Hamidu concludes, “The greatest impact of the water station is that we no longer need to send students to collect water. They remain in class where they should be.”