Water storage infrastructures have been successfully installed in 9 primary schools, in 2 schools more than initially planned, benefiting 2779 pupils, who now have a better access to a reliable source of water. The project has been completed without any technical complication. Minor challenges with some of the communities in some specific activities included supporting the masons and technical personnel and in trench digging. However, the fact that SHIPO has been working with these communities for 7 years has been a big advantage to the project. Involving RUWASA, Ludewa district and the LGA-s has also been key to ensure the sustainability of the project in the future.

1. BACKGROUND

MAMMIE (Mawengi Mlangali and Milo Integrated Education) is a project implemented by SHIPO since 2014 with the objective of contributing to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all in 24 primary public schools in Ludewa district, Njombe region. The activities of the project involve different kinds of trainings to pupils, teachers, parents and Local Government Authorities (LGAs), distribution of school materials, support for the development of the gardens and construction of different facilities in the schools.

MAMMIE keeps track of the different needs in the schools and identified 9 schools which were the most needed ones in terms of water supply: Figanga, Mbwila, Itundu, Kiyombo, Wecha, Milo, Lupande, Masaula and Sambala. The identified schools did not have a reliable supply of water; water cuts are very common in this area and some did not have a water point at the school premises. Having access to water through a water point connected to a storage tank in the school premises contributes to the improvement in the learning and living conditions of the pupils in the school and it makes some activities easier, like cooking, gardening and tree plantations.

2. OBJECTIVE

The objective of the project is to construct water storage infrastructures and water points in 9 primary schools and connect them to the existing and nearest water distribution networks to improve the access to water in the schools of Figanga, Mbwila, Itundu, Kiyombo, Wecha, Milo, Lupande, Masaula and Sambala in Ludewa district.

3. BENEFICIARIES

The direct beneficiaries of the project are 2779 pupils (1409 girls and 1370 boys), the teachers and some households nearby some of the schools like Masaula, who now count with a reliable source of water.

4. TIMELINE

May 2021– November 2021.

Initially, the scope of the project was the construction of water storage infrastructures in 7 schools. The activities for the construction of these infrastructures took place between June and July 2021. After this, as the budget was still sufficient, two more schools (Masaula and Sambala) were included in the project. The activities for the construction of the infrastructures in these two schools were carried out in October and November 2021.

5. ACTIVITIES

The main project activities were 1) the technical assessments, 2) sensitization meetings, 3) Preparation of materials and tools, 4) Construction works and 5) Handing Over Ceremonies in the 9 schools.

6. CONCLUSIONS

Water storage infrastructures have been successfully installed in 9 primary schools, in 2 schools more than initially planned, benefiting 2779 pupils, who now have a better access to a reliable source of water. The project has been completed without any technical complication. Minor challenges with some of the communities in some specific activities included supporting the masons and technical personnel and in trench digging. However, the fact that SHIPO has been working with these communities for 7 years has been a big advantage to the project. Involving RUWASA, Ludewa district and the LGA-s has also been key to ensure the sustainability of the project in the future.

Supported by: AUARA