Addressing Water Scarcity and Educational Challenges in Sembabule District, Uganda

In a previous post, we introduced Curtin Child Learning Center, our local partner organization in Uganda, and how it serves children from underprivileged backgrounds, providing them with access to education, safety, and essential resources. However, the challenges facing the school are vast, ranging from water scarcity to the threat of school dropouts, child labor, and teenage pregnancies.

A few weeks ago, our partner organization informed us about the water crisis that the school was facing. Water scarcity is a constant problem in Sub-Saharan African countries, and it had become a daily obstacle for the students at Curtin Child Learning Center. Many children spent their lunch breaks walking over 40 minutes to fetch water from unsafe sources. Not only was this water unsafe for consumption, but the journey had significant risks. As the school principal described, “Our children fetch water from dangerous dams, and teachers must accompany them to avoid accidents, which disrupts lessons and delays the school day.”

This situation created multiple consequences:

Health risks: Children often stepped in contaminated water, leading to diseases like Bilharzia, Dysentery, and Typhoid.
Safety concerns: The long walks was a high risk, particularly for girls who were vulnerable to assault.
Education disruptions: With classes frequently interrupted, children’s academic performance suffered, and their attention in class decreased.
Gender inequality: Girls disproportionately bore the burden of fetching water, which discouraged school attendance and exacerbated the gender gap in education.

Considering the gravity of the situation, our local partner came up with a solution: Harvest rainwater. With the support of donors, we provided the financial resources necessary to install three large water tanks at the school. These tanks now collect rainwater, which is sterilized through boiling to provide clean drinking water. This intervention has not only improved the health and safety of the students but has also allowed teachers to focus on uninterrupted learning, drastically enhancing the educational environment.

This solution is a significant relief for both students and their families. Parents, many of whom are peasant farmers living on less than $1 a day, now feel more secure knowing their children are no longer exposed to the dangers of fetching water from distant sources.

Sembabule District is a semi-arid area with limited rainfall and high poverty levels. Most families depend on subsistence farming for survival, and access to quality school facilities is scarce. The district is also marked by political and tribal tensions, often resulting in violence during election periods. In this challenging environment, the availability of reliable, safe education is vital for breaking the cycle of poverty.

Our partner organization has become an oasis for many children who would otherwise have little opportunity to complete their elementary education. Many students walk up to 10 kilometers to reach the school, and the long distances, combined with the region’s poverty, contribute to high dropout rates, child labor, and early marriages.

Looking into the future, the school principal dreams of many ways to support the little ones around the school, but one of the most desired wishes he has is establishing a boarding facility for 200 children who live more than 5 kilometers away. This initiative aims to increase school retention and improve academic performance, particularly for girls, by providing a safe, stable environment where they can focus on their studies. Boarding students will benefit from closer attention from teachers and better access to resources, including vocational training, which is critical for breaking the cycle of poverty.

The challenges in Sembabule District are significant, but with your support, we can continue to make a difference. By donating to A Chance In Life, you can help provide children in Uganda and around the world with access to clean water, quality education, and the tools they need to build a better future. Together, we can break the cycle of poverty and offer every child a chance in life.

Make a difference now!

Author
Elser Llanos

Addressing Water Scarcity and Educational Challenges in Sembabule District, Uganda

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