Thirty-five years ago a boarding school was started in Gumiguda to serve the needs of poor children who otherwise would not receive an education. In recent years, providing clean water for the school and surrounding communities has become a primary concern. In the past, women and children spent considerable time and effort carrying water from the river. Water-borne diseases were common and personal hygiene was poor.

With support and supervision from OUTREACH INTERNATIONAL (OI), a 100-ft deep well was dug for the school with an electric pump. Outdoor faucets provide clean water for students and community members at various locations on the school property. Since electricity is not reliable, however, running water is not always available. Returning to the old system of fetching water would be unsanitary and inconvenient. Community members and OI are now resolved to increase the water supply by digging a deeper well, improving the school’s bath and kitchen water facilities, and providing additional access to clean running water for more than 500 people. With the improvements, more children can attend school and health problems will also decline.