Did you know that access to clean drinking water can directly improve a child’s ability to learn? At Kagashi Primary School in Mugesera, Rwanda, this connection is no longer a theory, it is a daily reality for hundreds of young learners.
Kagashi Primary School serves more than 1,500 nursery and primary students. Like many rural schools, it faced a challenge that was easy to overlook but impossible to ignore: unsafe drinking water. Staff relied on untreated water stored in a tank. While the water met immediate needs, it often carried harmful bacteria and parasites. Students regularly fell ill with waterborne diseases, including intestinal worms, which led to frequent absences, fatigue and difficulty keeping up in class.
Teachers tried their best, but educating became difficult when children were sick.
A solution came through a partnership between 20 Liters and World Relief. Together, they provided water filters and 20‑liter white jerrycans with taps for every classroom. These simple, practical tools now ensure that students have reliable access to clean, safe drinking water throughout the school day.
“The impact of this support has been remarkable,” shares school representative Leandre Nkulikiyeyezu. “Students are healthier and no longer suffer from the frequent illnesses that once disrupted their education. Attendance has increased, and students can concentrate better in class.”
As Leandre explains, the benefits extend beyond health. With fewer sick days and improved focus, academic performance has improved. Teachers now see more consistent attendance and their classrooms are more energetic environments for learning.
School leaders express deep gratitude to 20 Liters and World Relief, noting that clean water has become a foundation for student success. At Kagashi Primary School, something as basic as a water filter is making an extraordinary difference by giving children a stronger foundation to learn, grow and thrive.
