Imagine running a school where clean, safe drinking water is not guaranteed. Students return from recess hot and thirsty, but there’s no reliable water source to quench their thirst. Teachers haul water from home. Others go without. That was the daily reality at Karuganda Primary School – until recently.
Leonard Mporambyifuza, the 48-year-old head teacher, oversees this bustling school of 1,505 students and 101 staff members. Despite the size and energy of the school, sourcing safe water was always a challenge.
“At Karuganda Primary School,” Leonard explained, “we relied on rainwater and a small, community-managed treatment system. But the water wasn’t always safe to drink. Teachers often brought their own from home and our students had no choice but to drink the unsafe water from the rainwater tanks. It was all we had.”
The school’s water woes changed when World Relief provided a SAM2 water filter from 20 Liters.
Now, more than 1,600 people – including students, teachers, support staff and visitors – have access to clean, safe drinking water. Staff members even bring small jerry cans to collect water to take home to their families, saving money they used to spend on water treatment.
But the impact goes far beyond hydration. The filter has sparked a broader awareness around water safety and hygiene, creating a culture of health throughout the community. “Before, students often missed school due to waterborne illnesses and parasitic infections,” Leonard shared. “Now, with clean water available every day, we expect to see fewer illnesses, better attendance and improved wellbeing.”
Leonard expresses heartfelt gratitude to 20 Liters and World Relief. “We sincerely thank you for your life-saving support of Karuganda Primary School and the Kinoni community,” he said. “This gift hasn’t just brought us clean water – it’s bringing social and economic transformation to our area.”
