Our Sponsored Children, and the Kenya Project
2002/3
A Water Tank for Dago Kokore Primary School

The Kenya Project

In 2002 we became involved in a contact with a primary school in Kenya through a twinning scheme set up by one of our local schools, the primary school at Ruardean in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. The school was trying to raise funds to supply a water tank to the Dago Kokore Primary School, and they hosted various fund raising events to collect money.

Involved in the same scheme were the Forest of Dean Rotary Club, and we decided to donate an equal amount each - £500 - towards the scheme to supply and build a water tank for the school in Kenya.

I hope you don't mind. It was enough money out of the sales of CDs to buy two or three more old books for the Archive CD Books Project. (Which puts things into perspective).

We donated the £500 in December 2002, and the money went direct to the school. All of it.

It sounds rather strange to us in affluent countries that a water supply can be a problem to others. But the village in Kenya, where this school is located, has just one well. One mile from the school.

Local English teachers who visited Kenya last year discovered that the children who attend the school arrive at 8.30 in the morning, and leave at 4.30 in the afternoon, do not have even a drink of water! Putting it simply, they just go thirsty for the whole day!

So we decided that we should become involved.

The money (£1000 in total) went direct to the school in December 2000, and they organised the purchase of the large water tank, plus guttering for the school roof to collect rainwater. There is regular rain in this part of Kenya.

By mid February 2003 the project was completed, and the school now has an ample and regular supply of drinking water.

And..... there was money left over!

So the school asked us if we minded some of it being used on the school building itself, bearing in mind that the small school has no doors, and mud floors, which became hopelessly boggy every time it rained. Of course, we agreed.

So with the remainder of the money, they put down concrete floors in one of the class rooms and fitted doors!

The photographs here show the success story. One of which we can all be proud to have been a part. That includes all of the Archive CD Books supporters and all who have purchased some CDs from us. It is you who have provided the money for this successful project.

Many thanks!

Rod Neep

Photos of the 2002/3 project

The water tank arrives, and there is great excitement at the school. Note the school buildings in the background.

One of the school's class rooms. Note the open holes in the walls (no glass windows), the home-made desks, and the mud floor which becomes a quagmire in wet weather. (Photo 11 Feb 2003).

On 11 February groundwork began on the location of the water tank, and gutters were fitted to the school roof to collect water.

Hardcore was laid down as a base for the water tank, and then came the task of mixing concrete for the foundations. Water was carried a mile in plastic containers from the nearest well. And everyone became involved, teachers, parents and the children. This photo clearly shows the school buildings. They are not under construction! That's just how they are.

Final mixing of the concrete for the foundations, as always, observed by lots of on-lookers. To them, the project was immensely exciting.

And the tank is finally sited and set into the concrete base.

Next came the stone cladding around the tank, to help keep the water cool and fresh.

This is now the 12th February How fast they work!

The stone cladding is completed, and the water inlet pipe being linked to the tank from the gutter on the roof.

Work on the "outlet" end of the system. Note the building to the right. This is the school's kitchen!

Close to completion, levelling the ground and clearing up. Note that the children are involved again in their project.

By now, it is February 17th, just six days after the arrival of the water tank.

On February 18th it rained! And here, on the 19th, water is being taken for the first time.

Success!