Bringing Water Back to Life

Bringing Water Where It's Needed: Well Maintenance for Schools and Communities in Karamoja

The global Coronavirus pandemic that swept the world in 2020 had far-reaching economic, social, and health consequences, and Uganda was no exception. The severe lockdown imposed in April and May 2020 affected almost all sectors of the workforce. The Ugandan government's responses slowed down, and in many cases, even suspended many of ISP's activities. Given the emergency, and drawing on years of experience in the sector, the Moroto District then granted ISP permission to continue operating even during the strictest restrictions.

This allowed interventions at two schools in two different districts: Child Jesus Primary School in Moroto and Kangole Girls Primary School in Napak.

Battling Challenges: The Pandemic's Impact on Schools

The pandemic significantly impacted education. Schools saw a drastic reduction in enrollment and a disruption of their normal academic schedules. Only final-year classes were allowed to resume lessons in October 2020, followed partially by other primary and secondary classes in early 2021. Unfortunately, a new wave of Coronavirus in June 2021 forced another lockdown and the complete closure of all educational institutions.

In this challenging scenario, the project demonstrated its resilience. In January 2021, during the first lockdown, the intervention at Kangole Girls Primary School was crucial. A severe storm had burned out the control unit of the solar pump that supplied water to the entire school's tank. This school housed about fifty girls who would otherwise have had no home, providing them with educational support and remedial lessons authorized by the school director (a Comboni nun). Without timely intervention, the situation would have been unsustainable.

Local authorities, often with limited resources, struggle to intervene promptly to guarantee essential services like water supply. Communities, especially women, find themselves walking long distances to reach the nearest well. Fortunately, organizations like the schools managed by missionary sisters (Kangole Girls P.S. and Child Jesus P.S.) can manage resources transparently, ensuring proper maintenance of infrastructure, which is essential for long-term sustainability. Any additional funds needed for the project were covered by Insieme si può.

Specific Interventions: Water, Energy, and Distribution

Kangole Girls Primary School: In January 2021, ISP replaced the burned-out control unit of the solar system (Lorentz controller PS1800) that powered the school's solar pump. A monitoring visit in May confirmed the full functionality of the pump and the constant availability of water for the entire school.

Child Jesus Primary School: Thanks to its proximity to the ISP compound, work here was implemented continuously. A Nastek pump powered by three solar panels was installed, providing a flow rate of 2 m³ per hour. This allows the two 10,000-liter tanks (located about 140 meters from the well) to be filled in less than six hours, ensuring a constant supply for the school. With a view to expanding the benefits, after a financial assessment, ISP decided to design and implement a water connection system with five new distribution points within the school: one with four taps near the tanks, one near the kitchen, one at the dormitory, one near the bathrooms, and the last one at the school clinic. This comprehensive intervention, including pipes, taps, and sinks, drastically improves water access throughout the school.

Loparipar Primary School: Unfortunately, for Loparipar Primary School, the initially planned well repair could not be completed. A thorough verification, conducted with the help of Comboni missionary Brother Dario (an experienced dowser and expert on the territory), revealed that the well was completely dry. Since that source could not be reactivated, ISP still recorded another point, about 2 km from the school, where a new well could be drilled in the future to serve the institution.

The Commitment Continues

This project demonstrated how, even in the face of global difficulties, collaboration and careful management can make a difference. Ensuring access to clean water means investing in the health, education, and future of entire communities. The dedication of ISP's local staff, the efficiency of the interventions, and the search for creative solutions (such as the involvement of Brother Dario) were key elements for success.

The Costa Family Foundation and ISP continue their commitment to a Karamoja where the right to water is a reality for everyone, brick by brick, drop by drop.