2017 Projects
2017 was the Rafiki Village Project’s first full year of operation. In October 2016 we held a community meeting at Gijega Primary School to discuss the community’s priorities for the coming year. It was determined that we would (1) install storage tanks for the school, dispensary and community, (2) begin the renovation of the classrooms at Gijega School, and (3) construct a bathroom for the Gijega School teachers. We also started granting Gijega School and Dumbeta Dispensary quarterly stipends.
Gijega Classroom RenovationIn 2017 The Rafiki Village Project began the renovation of the Gijega Primary School’s two classroom buildings. Prior to renovation, the school’s seven classrooms were in poor condition and did not provide an environment conducive to learning. Broken windows and leaky roofs exposed teachers and students to the elements. The walls were crumbing and the floors were pitted with huge holes. New plaster was applied to the walls and floors, the roofs were repaired, windows replaced, desks were repaired, and new paint was applied indoors and outdoors. The students and teachers now have classrooms they are proud to learn and teach in.
STATUS: COMPLETED COST: $15,348 |
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Water Tank InstallationAlthough having access to the clean water was a huge benefit to the residents of Gishaji Village, they still did not have a water supply that was reliable. The tank that is the source of their water supplies several villages. Because there is only so much water to go around, the supply to Gishaji is rationed by the utility company. This situation is worse during the dry season, when water is scarce throughout the region. On days when the water was shut off, the villagers had to resort to using untreated water. In order to solve this problem 5000 liter storage tanks were installed at the school, in the community, and at the nearby medical dispensary. These tanks hold enough reserve water for several weeks, ensuring a constant supply of safe water.
The Dumbeta Dispensary is a government run medical clinic that serves the 10,000+ residents of Dumbeta Ward. The water supply for the dispensary was an outdoor water spigot about 100 feet from the clinic. This spigot is shared with more than 50 families. Prior to the installation of a storage tank outside the dispensary, the clinic staff had to wait their turn at the spigot and then bring water inside in buckets for handwashing and cleaning medical instruments. The clinic now has functioning indoor sinks, which has greatly improved sanitation. The new tank also ensures that the dispensary has a back-up water supply for the frequent times when the community spigot runs dry. STATUS: COMPLETED COST: $3,096 |
Gijega School Staff ToiletsPrior to the completion of this project the teachers at Gijega Primary School shared a single pit toilet. In addition to being unsanitary, the lack of flush toilets and running water made it difficult to recruit teachers. Running water made it possible to construct a modern bathroom with flush toilets and sinks.
STATUS: COMPLETED COST: $5,692 |
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