Finding water in remote villages and schools in Tanzania is not as easy as turning on a tap... often water is fetched from dirty rivers, streams or waterholes far from home. These sources are not safe for drinking. Lack of water at schools prevents students from reaching their potential, often they cannot concentrate because they are thirsty or they miss lessons because they are out fetching water. Teachers posted to these rural schools often leave because they cannot stand living there, which adds to the problem.

Emmanuel International (EI) and its partner church the Diocese of Ruaha have successfully completed several School WaSH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) projects at schools in the rural Iringa area. Water is supplied to these rural schools through the construction of rain water harvesting systems. Clean rainwater landing on classroom roofs is collected in gutters and stored in rainwater tanks which hold 20,000 litres each. This provides a reliable supply of clean water, right where it is needed most. Alongside water supply, EI has helped schools to renovate and construct new latrine blocks which are safe, hygienic and easy to keep clean. The new latrine blocks incorporate handwash stations so students can wash their hands with clean water and soap after using the toilets. EI also provides education to school students about how to look after the water at school, how to treat unsafe water at home, the importance of hand washing and how they can avoid water borne diseases including diarrhoea.

In Uhambingeto Primary School, following a WaSH project the students are able to get clean water to drink every day. The water supply has enabled the school to start its own feeding programme, so now the students are also fed porridge every day. This was impossible before as there was no water to cook with. Before the project many teachers were leaving, but now teachers have asked to transfer there because the living conditions have improved so much. The students are so happy and the exam results have improved too. At another school in Vitono village, students and teachers now have clean drinking water on site, rather than having to walk several miles to dig for water in a sand-river bed.

EI is also assisting the church and community with supply of clean water by gravity and improved sanitation for whole villages. In Isanga, EI is assisting the Diocese of Ruaha and the local government to supply clean water to the village. Fresh springs high up in the mountains are capped and the water flows by gravity to water points in the village, within easy reach of people’s homes. 

Community members contribute everything they can and provide labour to these water projects in Tanzania, but money is needed for materials and equipment. You can make a huge difference to people living without clean water and adequate sanitation in Tanzania. Just £40 can provide a person with a supply of clean water and an improved toilet. Please join with us by donating to this worthy cause. Even a few pounds can make a difference. Plenty of drops in one bucket will eventually fill the bucket!

Please donate now.