UNICEF provides safe water to help children stay in school
For every child, clean and safe water
UNICEF Uganda
UNICEF Uganda/2017/Jimmy Adriko
12 December 2017
UNICEF Uganda/2017/Jimmy AdrikoPupils rush down the stream, two kilometers to the nearest stream to fetch water instead of attending school.
UNICEF Uganda/2017/Jimmy Adriko“When there was no water, we went to the river. Water is heavy, and the river is far. I had to rest two times on the way back. When I got to school, I felt tired. I feared the people I meet on the way Irene K”, 12 years old, P-5.
UNICEF Uganda/2017/Jimmy AdrikoPupils used to collect water from an unclean water source. They often experienced repeated episodes of diarrhea, consequently impairing their physical growth, nutrition, and compromising their educational attainment.
UNICEF Uganda/2017/Jimmy AdrikoThe pupils endured the long journey to the stream to collect water and this affected their learning patterns because they often missed classes.
UNICEF Uganda/2017/Jimmy AdrikoWith the underground tank in place, the pupils at Bubwika Primary School now have access to sufficient amount of safe drinking water.
UNICEF Uganda/2017/Jimmy AdrikoThere is plenty of clean water on the school premises which allows for handwashing practices which has positively affected behavior change among the pupils.
UNICEF Uganda/2017/Jimmy AdrikoWith the constant water supply, adolescent girls are also able to manage their menstrual cycles effectively without having to remain at home, which has improved their self-esteem, classroom performance, and contributed to the decrease in early drop-out.