World Water Day is approaching quickly and on March 22, you can reflect on howt clean water is critical to all life on our planet and think of ways we can all help conserve it. This year’s theme is focused on the importance of listening to the voice of women and girls in water decisions. Because studies show when they are involved services become more inclusive, sustainable and effective. We must invest in women’s leadership to make water a force for a healthier, more prosperous, gender-equal future that will benefit us all.
A Life-Changing Water Project in Ghana
Trees and water constitute the major component of the environment for human survival. Thanks to your support a recent water and tree project at the Wa site in Ghana is now complete and handed over to the communities. This project planted 100 saplings in the broader community and drilled five borehole wells within the school compound. Each well was installed with solar driven water pumps connected to water storage tanks to aid in irrigation of the trees and other crops in the school compounds.
As a result of this project the amount of available water has been increased fivefold, and water has been pumped into all four poly tanks in each of the schools. This has brought the total available water to 250,000 litres!
The available water will go a long way to solve the long hours spent by pupils in search of water during instruction hours. An activity largely carried out by women and children. The water will be used to cultivate vegetables which will be used for cooking and the sales of the surplus to raise income for the schools. After school resumed from the Christmas break they were all eager to start the cultivation of the school gardens.
The Wa site is grateful for supporters of the project and will ensure that our sponsored children, parents and communities derive the full benefit of this project.
Improving Education and Well-Being
“Glory be to God! This project has helped reduce absenteeism created in our schools as a result of lack of water,” say site staff. “Pupils attribute their absenteeism to lack of water in the schools which took them hours to search for water during class hours. The trees are going to serve as source of income for the schools and parents in the future as well as providing shade in the school.”
Because of your support five schools now have water for their activities. Each school is able to store enough water for their use. By prioritizing water access and sanitation in schools we created a healthier, more productive learning environment, ultimately enhancing students’ academic performance and well-being.