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6th Rural Water Supply Network Forum 2011 Uganda

Rural Water Supply in the 21st Century: Myths of the Past, Visions for the Future

Short Paper

Innovations in Water Technologies: The case of Clean Water for Schools (CWFS) Project in Kabulasoke Sub-county, Gomba District

Authors: Ronald Kato Salongo, Executive Director Kyakulumbye Development Foundation (KDF), Kampala, Uganda, kdf2002@yahoo.com, +256-772-505570;

Doreen Naliyongo, Health Educator, Kyakulumbye Development Foundation (KDF), Kampala, Uganda, kdf2002@yahoo.com, +256-771860651

Abstract/Summary

This paper shares the KDF experience in implementing Clean Water and Sanitation for Schools projects in Kabulasoke sub-county in Gomba District since 2009. The project covers six schools with an estimated student population of 2400 pupils. KDF works closely with schools, communities, local governments and with the support of WaterCan. The project has constructed 6 Ventilated Improved Pit (VIP) latrines, 6 ferro-cement tanks of 30,000 cc each as well as distributed 42 garbage bins in six schools. Other activities include building capacity of School Management Committees (SMCs) and child-to-child approaches for pupils. Project innovations include Lining of Pit latrines and Rain Water Harvesting. These interventions have reduced water related diseases in communities and absenteeism in schools. Challenges include low priority schools spending on water and sanitation and climatic change conditions. Governments should mainstream innovative technologies in water and sanitation for schools to improve child heath and school performance.

Introduction

The projected 2010 mid-year population for Uganda stands at 31.8 millions, of which 85% or about 27 million live in rural areas. The average rural water access as of financial year 2008/09 was 63 % and was the same for the previous 3 years. Safe sanitation facilities increased from 57% in FY 2004/05 to 69% in FY 2008/09 (NDP, 2010; UBOS, 2009). Household sanitation on the other hand has been improving more steadily with the proportions of households and schools with safe sanitation facilities increased from 54% in FY 2004/05 to 69%in FY 2008/09 (NDP, 2010). Improved water supply and sanitation services were identified among the key priority areas for poverty eradication under Uganda’s Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP) formulated in 1997 and revised in 2004. The PEAP has now been transformed into the National Development Plan (NDP) with effect from 2010. According to a Directorate of Health Services Survey, 2000-2001, over 75% of premature deaths in Uganda result from preventable diseases. Estimates based on findings from 1992-3 integrated household surveys indicated that an average of 3.5% of work time on an adult was lost due to sanitation-related sickness or injury.

Kabulasoke is a sub-county in Gomba District. The district has a population of approximately 100,000 (2010 estimates) and has been recently carved out of Mpigi District (Kato 2009). Gomba District is bordered by Mubende District to the north, Mityana District to the northeast and Butambala District to the east. Kalungu District, Bukomansimbi District and Sembabule District lie to the south of Gomba District. Kanoni, where the district headquarters are located, lies approximately 97 kilometres (60 miles), by road, southwest of Kampala. This location is approximately 60 kilometres (37 miles), by road, west of Mpigi, the nearest large metropolitan area*. The district has 91 primary schools. The water coverage is 32% below the national rural average of 63%. There are at present few boreholes constructed 5 kms away and are non functional. KDF has been implementing water related projects since 1997. It has projects in Butambala, Mpigi and Gomba Districts. Water and sanitation was taken on as one of the priorities of the project area. The project covers three (3) schools namely Kasiika UMEA Primary school with a population of 455 pupils. Lugaga UMEA primary Schools with 460 pupils and Kakuba Nsiri

* See Project Area location in the Map of Uganda attached.

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Church of Uganda with a population of 418 pupils respectively. KDF works closely with schools to improve water and sanitation with partners like WaterCan. KDF implements projects with schools to bring everlasting solutions to accessing water and sanitation in schools.

Description of the Case Study – Approach or technology

The 3-year clean Water and Sanitation for Schools project started in 2009 and is on-going, currently in its second year. So far 6 Ventilated Improved pit (VIP) latrines and 6 ferro-cement tanks of 30,000 cc each have been constructed. Also, 42 garbage bins have been distributed to six schools. Several Information Education and Communication (IEC)/talking environment have been put in place in all the six schools. Health Clubs have also been formed and have caused changes in behaviour especially toilet habits. Learning sessions in relation to hygiene and sanitation have also been conducted and a total number of 2400 pupils have benefited. This has increased children’s performance and the attendance of the girl child. It has reduced water related diseases and absenteeism related to long distances to water sources.

Other activities include building the capacity of School Management Committees (SMCs), Training children and teachers in the child-to-child approach, masonry and school health clubs. School administrations, SMCs and the community have also been trained in operation and maintenance of the school water facilities. We have also carried out community outreaches.

KDF works under the principle of the public private partnership (PPP), a tripartite arrangement with local governments, the community represented by the school management committees and the development partner (Watercan). KDF signs Memoranda of Understanding with the Sub-county and school Administration to define roles and responsibilities. KDF carried a baseline survey with guidance from the local government to identify schools that needed intervention in the WASH project. Consultative meetings are held with the SMCs/School Administration. Intensive mobilisation is also done. Out of meetings held, KDF develops Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Plans before putting facilities in place. KDF contributes close to 85% of the construction costs while the community and schools cater for the other 15% comprising mainly of sweat equity, water for construction and sand. The local government contribution is mainly through technical support, monitoring and supervision. Project Innovations and Successes Rain Water Harvesting We use classroom roof tops to harvest rainwater which is captured in receptor tanks constructed using ferro-cement. These tanks range from 10,000 – 30,000 cc depending on the roof catchment. They cost between US$ 270 – 727 respectively and have a first-flush off technology which ensures that only clean water reaches the bottom after the initial dirty water from the roof tops has been cleaned off. The tanks are durable compared to the plastic tanks available on the market, are cheaper to construct; and are accessible and easy to clean. They have a bigger volume, enabling them not to run out of water throughout the year given that on the average a school uses about 150cc of water per day translating to about 9,000cc per term. The water trapped can be used for several other functions including cleaning toilets, bathing, cooking and boiled for drinking. The water can also be sold during the holidays to generate extra income for the schools. Hand Washing Stations These are water jars made of cement and wire mesh depending on the various capacities ranging from 1000 -1600 cc and cost between US$ 50 – 109. They receive their water from the roof tops of the pit latrines and are located on site near the pit latrines making their use more effective due to their strategic location. These water jars are based on a mould which is made of wood making its replication easy and has been adopted by the

A Water Jar under construction using a

wooden mould

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communities surrounding the schools.

Main results and lessons learnt

The principle of the public private partnership is good because it brings together local governments, civil society and the school management committees, in the process, mobilising resources and improving the management and maintenance of the projects. One challenge however is the time lost in striving to bring every party on board and an overlap of roles and responsibilities.

Incidence of water related diseases have reduced where tanks and pit latrines have been built. For example, out of the 6 schools, 3 schools (Kalungu UMEA, Lugaga UMEA and St. Joseph Kisamula primary schools) reported a 60% reduction in diarrhea at the schools health facilities for the year 2009 (School Records).

Schools have appreciated the new innovation of lining pit latrines which can last for more than 10-15 years

Technologies such as the water jars have been appreciated by both schools and communities There has been an improvement in the girl-children who no longer shy away from school

especially when they are in their menstruation period. Challenges A rise in cost of building materials due to inflation Inadequate resources from the local government side for project monitoring Behavior change process both at school and in the communities is slow such as in taking

boiled water and hand washing at critical times Weather patterns such as extended dry spells (October to February) lowering the overall water

harvested

Conclusions and Recommendations

KDF’s work with schools and communities in Gomba district is story of a success mixed with a few challenges. More importantly, it has shown the importance of involving schools as partners and not just as recipients of support. The result has been the development of cost-effective innovative technology which has improved the state of water and sanitation in the project area as well creating an environment for improved school performance.

Recommendations More support is needed for innovative approaches to rural water and sanitation especially in

improving girl child education. Schools should adopt bathrooms and changing rooms for girls to help them during their menstrual periods.

Governments should increase funding for UPE especially the Schools Facilitation grant to cater for water and sanitation in schools

Behaviour change communication should be mainstreamed in conventional primary education curricular

Governments should mainstream user-friendly and innovative technologies in water and sanitation policies for schools to improve cost effectiveness, child heath and school performance

References

Government of Uganda (2008) Ministry of Water and Environment Sector Performance Report Government of Uganda (2009), Statistical Abstract 2010, Uganda Bureau of Statistics

Government of Uganda (2010), The National Development Plan (2010/11 – 2014/15)

Kato, J (2009) “Uganda: Why More Districts for Buganda?” http://allafrica.com/stories/200912030474.html, accessed 21/09/2011

Contact Details

Name of Lead Author: Ronald Kato Salongo

Email: kdf2002@yahoo.com

Name of Second Author: Doreen Naliyongo

Email: kdf2002@yahoo.com

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Map of Uganda