Back to School

January 10, 2025

Posted by Dave, Executive Director

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Think back…

Take a moment to think about when you went to school as a child. Do you remember being excited to spend time with friends? What about all the new activities and opportunities to do something for the very first time? And sure, school work might have been hard, but wasn’t it also kind of great?

Now consider what would have happened if you had lived under the constant threat of diarrhea, worms, and other illnesses that made every day miserable. That’s the reality of living without clean water, and we want to put an end to it.

Living with constant risk…

Butare is known as the intellectual capital of Rwanda, home to a university, seminary and scientific research institute. However, for some of its youngest learners, challenges arose from lack of clean water.

At Kayenzi Primary School, the 507 students and 19 teachers relied on water from tanks or the nearby Cyahafi River. Ernestine, a teacher at the school, highlighted the health risks of consuming this water, “Many pupils developed worms from consuming contaminated water.”

Living with constant hope…

Ernestine is responsible for the school’s hygiene education. In partnership with 20 Liters and World Relief, she acquired SAM II water filters which have transformed the situation. The filters effectively treat water, ensuring quenched thirst and better health for both teachers and students. Having this basic need met means the ability to better focus on the tasks at hand, developing young minds and learning for a brighter future.

This access to clean drinking water has brought newfound joy and well-being. Valentine, a first-grade student, shares her excitement, “I love being able to drink safe water from the SAM II filter. Whenever I feel thirsty, I know exactly where to find clean water.”

As a representative for the school, Ernestine expresses heartfelt gratitude, “We are incredibly thankful to the WASH Project and 20 Liters. Other rural areas that still struggle with water treatment, leading to communicable diseases among childrenW we recognize how blessed our school is. With the filter we received, we no longer suffer from these illnesses or from thirst. Your support has made a tremendous difference in our lives. May Almighty God bless you.

Clean water is helping to create a bright future for these young learners.

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