Our Projects · Rainwater for WASH

Blue Schoolsin Africa, 2007–2015

Écoles Bleues en Afrique, 2007–2015

In seven African countries, IRHA and local partners turned schools into Blue Schools – testing a model that others later took further.

CompletedRainwater for WASH2007–2015

WhereMali, Ghana, Benin, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo and Burundi

When2007–2015

Withlocal partners, including Simli Aid in Ghana and Caritas Kaolack in Senegal

Results

6,412children and teachers reached in the Tamale region of Ghana
2health centres serving 12,500 patients a year
1,180children reached in Kaolack, Senegal

The Challenge

In Kaolack, for example, families spent about half an hour a day fetching water, often a task for children, and poor hygiene raised the risk of diarrhoea. IRHA's Blue Schools addressed drinking water, hygiene and sanitation needs while creating places that support learning. Harvested rainwater also waters school gardens and trees, whose shade cools classrooms and playgrounds.

What We Did

Where and when (IRHA register): – Mali – 2007 – Ghana – 2009–2011, and Tamale region 2013–2015 – Benin, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo – 2011 – Burundi – 2014

Installed rooftop rainwater harvesting with storage tanks and taps.
Built toilets and sanitation facilities.
Trained pupils in hygiene, so that good habits also reach their homes.
Planted trees and created school gardens.
Worked through local partners, such as Caritas Kaolack, which was still looking after the Kaolack facilities in 2019.
Mali – 2007
Ghana – 2009–2011, and Tamale region 2013–2015
Benin, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo – 2011
Burundi – 2014

Results

Ghana (Tamale, with Simli Aid): 6,412 children and teachers in 17 schools, plus 2 health centres with 15 staff serving 12,500 patients a year, gained safe water, sanitation and better hygiene.
Senegal (Kaolack, with Caritas Kaolack): 1,180 children gained daily access to drinking water and toilets. In 2019, the facilities were still well maintained.
The concept, launched by IRHA in 2007, was taken up and further developed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and its partners. Since 2011, a consortium of Swiss NGOs has applied it in more than 200 schools.