Sickness of pupils and absenteeism from school used to be a big problem at Khamoto Primary School in Mbale District. Pupils especially those in lower primary school used to fall sick from diarrheal diseases quite regularly and not attend school. Others would be discouraged because they would be required to walk long distance to fetch water for school use.
According to Mr Mafabi, a teacher at Khamoto Primary School at least 5 pupils would be taken by the School to Siira Health Centre for treatment every term. This affected performance of the school and contributed to high school dropout rates.
To address the problem of water shortage at the school, the government includes provision for a rainwater harvesting talk as part of the construction of a three- classroom block. However, these plans could not be realised because water was flowing in the opposite direction and not entering into the tank.
AFIC trained community monitors identified the problem which was duly brought to the attention of Mbale District Local Government. Upon receipt district officials carried out a verification visit to the site and confirmed AFIC’s findings. The contractor was ordered to fix the problem and he complied.
The water is of great benefit to over 700 children who attend school at Khamoto Primary School. It is also used by over ten families of about seven members each.
