Nangina Special School in Kenya is home to 87 children who are either deaf or who have severe learning difficulties. These children live at the school during term time and there are some who are unable to leave the school premises during this time due to the severity of their disability. The school does not have any form of water supply and has to rely on collecting rainfall from the roofs of the school buildings which is collected in tanks. There is only one pump which supplies water from one of the tanks to three showers and two toilets in the boys dormitory block which currently houses 51 children. This pump only works when there is sufficient water in the tank so for almost all of the year the toilets and showers cannot be used.

(Below is a photo of one of the gutter fed water tanks)

The girls dormitory has no showers or proper toilets of any kind so in effect all the children wash outside using bowls and buckets when water is available in the rainy season. The toilets are latrines which are basically large holes dug in the ground with rudimentary huts built over them. The cooks have no running water in the kitchen and the two housemothers who look after all 87 children must wash bedding daily by hand as well as providing all the other basic needs of the children.

(This photo shows the school compound)

In 2015 a new hotel, Samia Resort, opened next to the school. This facility has a bore hole of its own and as such has showers, flushing toilets and wash basins in all guest rooms, lush green lawns bordered by flower beds and hedges, a restaurant kitchen and bar and a very nicely appointed swimming pool. (see photos below)

The contrast between the two bordering establishments is stark and all too clear. Guests at the hotel can swim in the pool and then take relaxing showers while the children next door have unhealthy toilet facilities and only the most basic washing facilities.

A bore hole would transform the lives of the children and improve their life chances immeasurably. For what amounts to around £90 per child they would have access all year round to what we would consider to be basic human rights - clean drinking water and safe toileting and washing facilities.

Please give as generously as you can - we are most grateful for your help!

Mark Funning and Penny Bacon

Teachers at Pathfield Special School in North Devon which is twinned with Nangina Special School in Kenya.