13 new wells and pumps to bring fresh water to Mtwara

EdUkaid has been awarded funding to build new borehole wells and pumps across 13 of the most remote partner schools in the rural Mtwara district of southern Tanzania.

Thanks to funding from the Charles Hayward Foundation and Guernsey Overseas Aid and International Development Fund over 5,000 of the most disadvantaged children will have access to a regular supply of clean water.

In a country where 50% of the population have no access to safe water or sanitation facilities, the news was welcomed by head teachers, education officials and community leaders.

Schools with no drinking water

Mtwara’s remote schools suffer from a desperate lack of clean drinking-water and poor hygiene behaviours are having a major impact on the health and well-being of children with exceptionally high levels of preventable illness, stunting and even death.

Our recent consultation identified that the project schools only have access to clean drinking water for 2-3 months a year thanks to rainwater-harvesting – for the remaining 9/10 months children are drinking dirty water only fit for crops and livestock or asked to carry water up to 10k from home which is neither practical nor available.

The benefits of good hygiene is poorly understood and hand-washing facilities non-existent. Diarrhoea and dehydration account for 75% of all absences across these schools and was a contributing factor in the deaths of 5 children last year.

Pumps and wells built by the community

The borehole pumps and wells will be built by local tradesman in partnership with community members who will be taught how to maintain the facilities and ensure their long-term use.