The Power of Clean Water

Did you know that when children have access to clean water and sanitation at school more children attend school, children's health and quality of life improve and disease is prevented from spreading? 

Having access to clean water really does make a difference in the lives of children in school. In fact, WHI constructed two borehole water wells to serve two schools near Freetown, Sierra Leone in 2013. These water wells have increased student attendance, improved student health and prevented the spread of disease. 

Moses M. Bangura, Head Teacher for the Devil Hole Primary School, stated, “Before [WHI drilled our school well], the children used to fetch water from a tap that was about two miles away and they had to walk along the highway. It was not safe and a lot of them came late to school because of that, especially the girls. Now, as we have our own well, we see more children attending school.” 

Similarly, George Kamara, a student at Devil Hole Primary School, stated, “The water from the swamp I used to drink was often dirty and I only drank it because I had no other option. This water is safe, it is clear and I’ve never been sick from it.” 

In addition, Fasluku Tamba Junior, Head Teacher of the Lumpa Spot 55 Secondary School, commented on their WHI-drilled school well, “The distance to the water well affected students’ attendance at the school, they often came late or some didn’t come at all. Since 2013, we have admitted 200 additional students, 60 percent of them are girls. We have never seen such an increase before, we believe it’s due to the well as it makes it more attractive for parents to send their children to our school.”

Clean water at schools helps improve the health of students and improve school attendance!

World Hope International is on a mission to drill 55 wells at 55 schools in Sierra Leone to provide clean water and sanitation to over 38,500 children!