Challenge.
Schools in Rwanda are significantly affected by a lack of access to safe drinking water. The government of Rwanda and partners are working to improve access, however many schools continue to face challenges. When children drink contaminated water, they risk severe illness from water-borne diseases. Due to the lack of access to clean water and inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) in schools and communities, preventable diseases contribute to high levels of illness and even death in Rwanda.
Solution.
The SCIF School Safe Water initiative aims to provide safe drinking water to schools and communities in Rwanda. The project installs rainwater harvesting tanks, which are fitted with water filtration systems. Rainwater will be stored in water tanks and then, using solar energy, pumped through a filtration systems. This provides easy access to clean water for children, school staff, and their families. This reduces the need for the school and households to boil water for purification or consume unsafe water.
Impact.
By providing access to clean water fewer trees will need to be cut to use as firewood, contributing to the preservation of the natural environment. Boiling drinking water also exposes people to wood smoke and other toxic particles, harmful to health. Easy access to clean water will reduce the amount of pollutants from burning biomass in schools and homes.
SCIF is partnering with WaterAid Rwanda to deliver the infrastructure as well as WASH programmes in schools.
Gallery.
Delivering the SDGs.
The Sustainable Development Goals encourage all countries to promote prosperity while protecting the planet, by addressing a range of social needs including education, health, social protection, and job opportunities. This project covers the following SDGs:
