Ten primary schools in the Chemosot area of Kericho County have received 10,000-litre water tanks with the aim of improving sanitation and providing accessible clean drinking water for learners in rural areas.
The project, led by the area Member of County Assembly (MCA) Anita Byegon, aims to supply large water tanks to schools in the Chemosot area. Byegon disclosed that the Change Your Stars Foundation—a non-profit organization based in the US—is leading a project to install water tanks in 25 schools within the Chemosot Ward.
“We have officially commissioned the water tanks to the following schools;Kuumek, Kapsenetwet, Chelilis, Kabitungu, Simoton Kapkusum, Kabartegan, among other primary schools, and we are in the process to install the tanks in the remaining schools.” said Byegon.
The foundation officials led by John Johnson and Annette Johnson said that lack of access to adequate water, sanitation and hygiene facilities has contributed to reduced attendance and educational achievement in schools.
“Children deserve a healthy learning environment with easy access to safe and sustainable water and hygiene and that is why we are trying our best to empower and improve the situation through participation,” added Johnson.
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During the commissioning of the water tanks at Kabitungu Primary School, the foundation officials together with the area MCA, taught the school girls about menstrual health and also gifted them dignity packs.
Byegon also expressed concern about an increase in school dropouts among young girls due to the stigma they face during their monthly periods. This is because several parents can’t afford to purchase sanitary pads for their daughters.
“The initiative is called ‘Days for Girls Programme’ and we are focusing on the girl-child issues as a whole and we want to ensure that they stay in school and part of the solution we are providing is carrying out menstrual health education and provide washable sanitary pads that can last for many years,” said Byegon.
The MCA further mentioned that hundreds of girls in the area benefited from washable pads which are comfortable and long-lasting.
“We are also empowering the boy child in Kericho at various schools to ensure they grow up to be responsible men in the society.”
By Frank Mugwe
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