Category: News

News

Why is a water charity providing scholarships to girls?

Post author By J Travis
Post date May 24, 2024

New Video on Drop in the Bucket’s Education Program in South Sudan

We recently completed this video on our education program in South Sudan. It does a good job of explaining why a water charity would expand its program to include providing scholarships to girls.

Since Drop in the Bucket started in 2006, our goal has been simple: to help children in sub-Saharan Africa go to school by building wells and toilets in schools. In 2009, we expanded our program to include South Sudan. The reason was simple: South Sudan has fewer girls in school than any other country in Africa.

The Benefits of Education

In many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, education is highly valued by parents. However, poverty and limited resources often force families to make difficult choices. Sons are prioritized for education while daughters are often relegated to household chores, including the daily task of fetching water for the family.

Recognizing this disparity, Drop in the Bucket expanded our program to start providing secondary school scholarships to girls. By collaborating closely with local school authorities, we identify high-potential girls who are at risk of dropping out due to financial constraints or cultural norms. Through its scholarship program, Drop in the Bucket provides these girls with the financial support they need to continue their education and realize their full potential.

But why is a water charity providing scholarships to girls?

But why focus only on girl education? Well, when girls go to school, it’s not just good for them. It’s good for everyone! Girls who go to school are more likely to get married later, have fewer children, and are able to do more to help their families and communities. Simply put, education helps people lift themselves out of poverty.

We don’t just stop at scholarships. We also help fix other problems that stop girls from going to school, like not having clean water or toilets. By fixing these things at schools, we make it easier for girls to learn. Girls are usually affected more when there’s no clean water or toilets at school.

In a world where boys often get more chances than girls, we’re working hard to change that. We want to make sure every child, no matter if they’re a boy or a girl, has the chance to go to school. So, we’re asking you to join us in making a difference, one well, one child, and one scholarship at a time.

Tags gender equality, girl education

News

A Grandmother’s Struggle with Dirty Water in Uganda

Post author By J Travis
Post date October 25, 2023

How a Water Well Changed This African Grandmother's Life

In Uganda, it is not uncommon for children to be raised by their grandmothers, often when parents are no longer together or both have passed away. Anena Kevin’s family is one such example. Anena and her brother Ezra are being cared for by their grandmother, Acan Margaret. She explains, “I have my two lovely ‘children’ to care for. Their mother separated from their father and had to start working in town.”

Acan Margaret does her best to provide for the children by growing vegetables in her garden. Their mother sends what money she can, but it is never quite enough. The food from the garden helps, but what the family needed most was access to safe, clean drinking water. Their only water source was an open waterhole and they used this water for everything including drinking.

The open waterhole was a stagnant body of water shared with local livestock. The water was green with algae and you could see tadpoles and other visible contaminants. Acan always felt guilty when she gave that water to the children, saying, “Each time I saw them drinking that water, it always felt like I had given them poison to drink. I couldn’t stop them from drinking it because I knew they were thirsty.”

The guilt was exacerbated when her children contracted typhoid and other waterborne diseases. Acan sighs and adds, “I am already old and don’t have much to lose, but my children have their whole lives ahead of them.”

On days when she had the energy, she would make the two-kilometer walk to a well at the nearest trading center to fetch clean water.

The journey was physically demanding due to her age and health, but she persisted for the sake of the girls. Acan recalls, “I used to walk to the trading center while the girls were at school. The walk there with two empty jerricans was okay, but the walk back took longer. It was tough, but it was worth it to see the girls drinking clean water.”

In order to make the return trip more manageable, Acan started carrying smaller containers, but this still only provided enough water for drinking. For all of their other household needs, they had to use dirty water.

Besides the distance, there was also the challenge of navigating the slippery path back up the hill from the well. People often fell while trying to carry the water. Acan recalls, “One time I got stuck about halfway down the muddy slope. It had just rained, and the ground was slippery. I was carrying water at the time, but I could not go forwards or backwards without falling down.” Fortunately, her granddaughter, Acan Evelyn, heard her cries for help and rescued her.

Clean Water Changed Everything for This African Grandmother

Grateful for the change, Acan Margaret remarks with a soft voice, “If it weren’t for you, I would have fallen to my death or broken a leg fetching water.” She is so happy that Drop in the Bucket came to Oturuloya Lagwedola and drilled this a well.

“I am so happy that my family now has access to clean water. Please thank the donor who funded this well and changed our lives”.

Tags Acan

News

International Day of the Girl Child 2023

Post author By J Travis
Post date October 16, 2023

International Day of the Girl Child 2023

International Day of the Girl Child 2023 was a great success in Nimule, South Sudan, despite the absence of other NGOs that had previously participated in the event. The schools and the community still engaged in a meaningful, lively, and colorful day. DROP provided t-shirts to representatives from all eleven primary schools in Nimule Central Boma, including those schools that we are not supporting, so that those children did not feel left out. The event began with the annual parade, where all the local school children marched through Nimule town and ended at St. Patrick Primary School, where the celebration was held.

“Our Time is Now – Our Rights Our Future”

An Enthusiastic Response- Though a Little Too Enthusiastic

The afternoon was filled with speeches from students, stakeholders, local leaders, chiefs, and parents. DROP has made it a priority to engage the chiefs and parents in activities like this, as well as in our community outreach campaigns to encourage parents to send their children to school. One chief said during his speech that he would arrest any parent who did not send their children to school. However, the Inspector of Schools quickly corrected that statement in his speech by pointing out that there are many reasons parents keep their children home from school. He said that you cannot arrest people who are sleeping hungry because there is no food, much less school fees. He also emphasized the reality that you cannot compare a very young country like South Sudan to its neighbor Uganda, which just celebrated 61 years of independence, growth, and progress.

Some Drama – But The Good Kind

The afternoon’s performances by the school children also echoed the Inspector’s statement, with one group performing a drama about hunger in the country, during which the children all shed real tears. There were also dramas about early marriage. One included the potential bride saying that she needed to stay in school so she could become eligible for a DROP secondary scholarship. But the entertainment was not all heavy and serious. There were also beautiful poems, heartfelt songs, and lively traditional tribal dances that kept the event exciting and engaging. Overall, the afternoon was a poignant reminder that the country is young and has many challenges, but also that the way to a brighter future is through the youth, and educating girls is a major step toward progress.

News

Back to School in South Sudan

Post author By J Travis
Post date October 3, 2023

Back to School in South Sudan

After a well-deserved second-term holiday, it’s time for the students to go back to school in South Sudan. The anticipation and excitement are palpable as our recent photos capture the moments of scholastic materials being sorted and groups of enthusiastic girls loading into vehicles. This year, we are proud to announce that we have nearly 200 girls receiving scholarships, each with a bright future ahead.

Celebrating Academic Excellence

Among our scholarship recipients, we have several standout performers whose academic achievements continue to inspire us. Their dedication and hard work are truly commendable, and we look forward to sharing their inspiring stories with you in the coming months.

Holiday Academic Coaching Program

We are thrilled to report the successful completion of our holiday academic coaching program at the DROP compound and dorm in South Sudan. Every holiday season, we bring talented Ugandan teachers to Nimule for two weeks to work closely with our students in key subjects such as math, English, chemistry, biology, and physics. This initiative has significantly boosted our students’ academic performance, and we remain committed to continuing its success.

Exploring a New Curriculum

In pursuit of holistic education, Uganda has introduced a new curriculum that emphasizes practical work, group collaboration, and problem-solving. This innovative approach encourages students to unleash their creativity and apply their knowledge to real-world challenges. Projects range from building underground fridges and interviewing local businesses to making liquid soap and creating skits and drama. This dynamic curriculum is empowering our students to become critical thinkers and problem solvers.

Empowering Post-Secondary Students

We are excited to share that we are selecting ten high-achieving girls to pursue university education, with a focus on nursing and clinical medicine. These young women are currently engaged in practical training in Adjumani, and we are immensely proud of their dedication and progress. Stay tuned for more updates on their remarkable journey.

University Dreams Come True

Six of our girls are enrolling in university, including Gloria Emman, who overcame challenges to pursue her dreams. Gloria, a promising student in 2019, is now enrolling in Juba University to study human resource management. Her determination is an inspiration to us all, and we look forward to supporting her on this exciting journey.

Community Engagement and Awareness

Our DROP team remains actively engaged in community awareness campaigns, recently conducting training sessions for two Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) groups. The goal is to involve parents and community members in supporting the girls’ education and ensuring they stay in school. Our long-term goal is to graduate 30% of the girls in Nimule Central Boma from secondary school. These efforts are crucial to achieving that vision.

Thank you for your unwavering support of our mission. Your generosity is transforming lives and communities in South Sudan. Together, we are making a difference.

Warm regards,

Stacey Travis
Drop in the Bucket Director

News

Living with HIV/AIDS and Unsafe Water

Post author By J Travis
Post date September 29, 2023

Clean Water Makes it Possible For a Man with HIV/AIDS to Take His Medication

Meet Acaye Christopher, a spirited 63-year-old man who was diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and living with unsafe water in a Uganda. Like many in his village, Acaye used to rely on a local waterhole as their only water source. Small tadpole-like organisms infested the waterhole, making it unsafe to drink. This meant the villagers were constantly getting sick with water-borne illnesses like typhoid.

Living with HIV/AIDS and Unsafe Water in Africa

Christopher was first diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in 2003 and takes an ARV medication that requires water. On rainy days, the water from the waterhole became contaminated. The contamination forced him to skip his medication.This affected his health, leading to frequent illnesses. Doctors recommended water purification tablets, but he had no money to pay for them.

When Drop in the Bucket drilled a well in the village, everything changed for Christopher. The village now had clean safe water from the new borehole well and Christopher and the other villagers no longer had to worry about contaminated water. He now takes his medication on time and never has to worry about the water he is drinking.

This positive change has rejuvenated Christopher’s life. He’s back to tending his crops and enjoying his improved health. He actively participates in the village savings group and proudly states that he is a member of the committee that manages the new well. Christopher works hard to keep the area surrounding the well clean.

How Clean Water Can Transform a Village in Africa

Christopher’s story is an example of how clean water access can bring joy and health to a community. Christopher is determined not to let HIV/AIDS threaten his life, and he feels the same about unsafe water. Thanks to the new well, Christopher and his village are embracing a brighter, healthier future.

News

Unyama, Te Pwoyo: A Village Transformed by Clean Water

Post author By J Travis
Post date September 7, 2023

African Village Transformed by Clean Water

In Te Pwoyo Village, a remote community in northern Uganda, a remarkable transformation is underway. Meet Omon Charles Ojok, a dedicated leader at the heart of this community. Ojok wears multiple hats, serving as the village health team member, the local council leader, and the chairperson of the water source committee. He is known in the community as a fair leader and is widely respected. For years, Omon Charles has been working to get his village clean water.

Omon Charles Ojok

A Challenging Quest for Clean Water in Te Pwoyo

For over six years, Omon Charles Ojok has grappled with the pressing issue of unsafe water in the village. The primary sources of water for Te Pwoyo were the Unyama River and a waterhole known as ‘liri-liri,’ a name that perfectly encapsulates its slow and narrow water flow.

Liri-Liri Waterhole

Akot Jenna Lucy remembers walking two kilometers to fetch water. “We used to walk there only to find a crowded water source with an agonizingly slow water flow. I can only describe it as a ‘trickle.'” For Akot Jenna and her fellow villagers, this was their daily reality.

The Unyama River

Te Pwoyo Village also used the Unyama River as a source of water. This river water was not only dirty but also a long distance from the village. The path to the river was unkempt, making the journey there and back somewhat perilous due to the presence of dangerous snakes, including pythons.

A Bucket of Bullets

Two years ago, two young boys, Rubangakene Oscar and Rubangakene Oscar Emmanuel, discovered something unusual while collecting water from the Unyama River. They found a plastic bucket filled with live ammunition that had washed ashore.

The Dark History of Abductions

Older members of the community were horrified by the discovery of the bullets, which served as a chilling reminder of the area’s dark history with the LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army) rebels and their two-decade-long reign of terror. Omon Charles Ojok vividly remembers the LRA’s presence in the area. “I think the bullets were left by the rebels,” he says. A chilling reminder of the area’s dark past.

The New Well Brings New Hope For Te Pwoyo

In response to these challenges, the community of Te Pwoyo Village received a lifeline that has transformed their lives. Drop in the Bucket, a water charity that has been working in Africa since 2006 and as drilled more than 700 water wells, commissioned a newly drilled borehole, bringing hope, health, and safety to the people of Te Pwoyo.

The story of Te Pwoyo Village underscores the impact that clean water can have on communities in need. By providing water wells, we change lives, overcome challenges, and rekindle hope for Omon Charles Ojok and his fellow villagers, liberating them from bullets, pythons, and the relentless struggle for clean water. Their journey serves as an inspiration, highlighting the profound change achievable when communities unite to create a brighter future.

News

Some Good News for the Bulumwaki Primary School

Post author By J Travis
Post date May 1, 2023

A Headteacher in a Tough Position

It was January 2022, and Bulumwaki primary school was struggling. The new year had brought 836 pupils to the school, but there was no clean water. “We really needed a borehole (well), but we did not have the resources to get one drilled, and we had no way to raise that kind of money,” recalls Namutubu Oliver, the school’s head teacher.

Namutubu Oliver - head teacher at the Bulumwaki primary school in Uganda — Bulumwaki’s head teacher Namutubu Oliver

Just a 10-minute walk from the school was a community well that they could use. Most days, this was not too big a problem. It did take 20 minutes to get there and back, which meant missing half a lesson. But there were days when the lines at the well were long, and on those days, the children would take an hour or more to get water.

The Shadoof

The second option was a hand-dug waterhole locally known as a ‘shadoof.’ The water from the shadoof was neither clean nor safe to drink, but on days when the lines at the well were long, the shadoof was the only option.Mukiisa Priscilla is a student at Bulumwaki. She hated missing lessons and would get frustrated standing in line at the community well. “In the mornings, the school would tell us we needed to go and fetch water. They asked us because we were older and stronger than the little children, but we did not want to miss school.” For Mukiisa, the new well meant that students no longer have to walk for water. “The most frustrating situation was when we were studying for our final exams, and they would make us stop to fetch water.”

The headteacher knew she was in a tough position. The last year of primary school is when the students’ exam results matter the most, so while she hated sending them, she had no choice. The younger children were not as strong or able to walk as fast, so it took them longer, and they missed more school. She is relieved she no longer has to make such difficult choices.

The shadoof had its problems too! Every dry season, it would stop producing water. It was also impossible to keep livestock out, so it was always polluted with animal waste.

Before the Well

Oliver’s voice gets quiet as she remembers how things were. “There were times when the children were sick with the flu or had colds and needed water for their dry throats or to wash their faces and hands. I had to tell them to wait until break or lunchtime when we could get more water.”

“Things were much worse for girls during their menstrual cycle. We have a changing room for girls, but without water, it was not much use. Some menstruating girls had to just sit and wait until we could go and fetch water. This resulted in poor hygiene, embarrassment, and missing lessons,” remembers the headteacher. In smaller schools, teachers and students end up using the same toilets. With toilets being used by so many students and no water to keep them clean, the teachers’ frustration was understandable. And no water for washing hands after using the toilets opened the school up to even more health risks.

Mukungu Grace - a teacher from Bulumwaki primary school in Uganda — Mukungu Grace holds a fellow teacher’s young child.

Mukungu Grace, one of the affected teachers, recalls. “We had to be careful about what we ate, so that if possible, we could wait to use the toilet at home. The ones at the school were just too disgusting.”

Bulumwaki Primary Now Has Clean Water

Bulumwaki primary in Uganda has a new water well thanks to the non-profit Drop in the Bucket — Bulumwaki primary school’s new well.

By October of that year, it was a different story at Bulumwaki. With a new borehole well drilled by the non-profit Drop in the Bucket, the school was now thriving. “I am happy about the new well! Happy about the health of my students. Happy about the hygiene of our girls, and I’m happy our teachers are happy,” says Oliver, the headteacher.

With every contribution to Drop in the Bucket, you can be part of the solution that provides clean and safe water to schools in Uganda and South Sudan. By supporting our work, you not only ensure that students can focus on their studies and stay healthy but also help empower communities to thrive. With your contribution, we can work towards a world where every child has access to the basic necessities of life, regardless of their circumstances.

Tags Bulumwaki primary school, clean water, Drop in the Bucket, education, Hygiene, Non-profit, Sanitation, Shadoof, Water access

News

Bulubandi Primary School: Where the students can have fun again.

Post author By J Travis
Post date February 1, 2023

Students excited about the new well

Bulubandi Primary School: Transforming with Clean Water

Bulubandi Primary School is one of the largest schools in eastern Uganda. With over 2,000 students, spanning grades 1 through 7, the head teacher, Naigaga Madinga well understands the magnitude of her job.

Naigaga Madinga headteacher from the Bulubandi Primary School in Uganda

“Running a school this size requires infrastructure and resources. As you can see, everything we need here is in large numbers,” says Madinga. “I have been teaching at this school for 14 years and in all of that time, we have never had a reliable and continuous source of clean water.”

She goes on to explain that the large government-funded school had partial access to two water sources, but both were unreliable.

One was a community borehole that was always crowded. Here the women began lining up early in the morning, with their jerry cans marking their location in line. Because they needed this water for their daily domestic workload of cooking, washing clothes, cleaning, and bathing children, they were not interested in the students cutting in their line to get a drink from the already-crowded water point. And tensions would brew.

The second option was piped municipal water. But this was not a sustainable solution. For one, the piped-water supply only worked intermittently. According to Mukiza, the water would dry up for weeks at a time. And in addition to that, paying for municipal water was completely unaffordable for a school the size of Bulubandi.

The lack of water brought many challenges to the large school. But the loudest complaint came from the boy students. They were not allowed to play sports!

Like boys throughout sub-Saharan Africa, the students at Bulubandi love to play soccer. It was not uncommon to have nearly 1000 children running after a ball during recess. And, in the Ugandan heat, that made for a lot of thirsty kids.

The administration legitimately feared that the students could pass out from dehydration.

The Impact of Clean Water on Academic Performance

Muhondo Eric, the senior male teacher at Bulubandi primary school in Uganda

According to Muhondo Eric, the senior male teacher at the school, “Nobody at the school wanted to stop the children from having fun, but we had to limit how much they could play and sweat because of water rationing.”

Now that DROP has drilled and we have a permanent water solution, we no longer have to worry about rationing. The students are back to playing sports and tensions have settled. In addition, their academic performance and daily attendance also seem to be improving.

Community Response and Future Plans

Since the installation of the new water source, the community surrounding Bulubandi Primary School has also benefited. Access to clean water has improved hygiene and health outcomes not just for the students, but for families living nearby. There are now discussions underway about further community projects to enhance sanitation facilities and educational resources.

According to Madinga, “We are grateful for this new water source for many reasons. For one, it gives the school a clean, consistent and reliable water supply. That solved many very problems for the school. And there is no need to ration water, or fun, anymore.”

Students excited about the new well at Bulubandi Primary School in Uganda

News

Angole Health Center II; A struggling health center finds relief with a new well

Post author By J Travis
Post date January 5, 2023

Transforming a Health Center with Clean Water in Uganda and South Sudan

Located in the Pader district of northern Uganda, the Angole Health Center II used to struggle to provide basic care to its patients due to unsafe water. The health center, situated near a trading center, serves as a vital community hub, yet its lack of a clean water source hampered its ability to deliver effective medical care.

Meet Awor Margaret

Challenges Before the Water Well

Awor Margaret, a dedicated midwife at the health center, recounted the struggles of fetching water from a nearby primary school’s borehole, shared with the local community. This routine disrupted patient care, often leaving medical staff unable to attend to patients promptly. Water shortages sometimes forced staff to turn patients away or provide them with unsafe water, jeopardizing their health further.

During crises, such as borehole breakdowns, staff faced a daunting two-kilometer trek to an open stream for water. Oyella Ketty, a nurse at the center, vividly recalled the risks of leaving patients unattended while fetching water contaminated with visible organisms.

The Impact of the New Water Well

Thanks to Drop in the Bucket’s initiative to drill a new water well, the Angole Health Center II now enjoys reliable access to safe water for drinking, hand washing, patient care, and facility hygiene. This transformation has been pivotal, enabling the center to meet Ministry of Health standards for cleanliness amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Oyella Ketty, observing community members benefiting from the well, expressed relief. The new water source ensures continuous care for patients without interruptions due to water scarcity or concerns over water quality.

Beyond the health center, communities in Uganda and South Sudan face similar water challenges. Gender disparities often burden women and children with the responsibility of fetching water, affecting their education and economic opportunities.

Organizations like Drop in the Bucket play a crucial role in addressing these challenges, focusing on clean water solutions that empower communities, promote gender equality, and enhance overall well-being.

The success story of the Angole Health Center II underscores the transformative impact of access to clean water, highlighting the urgent need to support initiatives that bring safe water to Africa.

News Personal Stories

Naibiri Health Center II and how one nurse’s persistence paid off!

Post author By J Travis
Post date December 7, 2022

Meet Kamoyi Wilson a nurse at the Naibiri Health Center II in Uganda

Kamoyi Wilson stands in front of the Naibiri Health Center II in Uganda

Even as a child Kamoyi Wilson knew what he wanted to do with his life. He wanted to help people!

His dream was to one day become a doctor, so in school he focused on science classes. “Helping the sick has always been my passion” he explains.

Unfortunately for Wilson, the fees to go to a medical school were too much for his family to afford, so instead he decided to become a nurse.

Starting work at the Naibiri Health Center II

After his graduation he started working at the Naibiri Health Center II and immediately fell in love with the work. The hours were long and exhausting, but every day he got to help people and would go to sleep each night tired but happy.

After a few months he started thinking ways he could make things better for the patients. There were two issues that continued to kept him up at night. The first was that the medical center did not always have enough medicine and when it did, it wasn’t always the best. He began to lobby for better access to medications and eventually his efforts paid off. Now the health clinic has all of the medicine it needs! With that issue solved, he turned his thoughts to the second issue – access to clean water.

The Water Situation at Naibiri

While the facility was not entirely without water, the situation was far from ideal. They had a system that collected rainwater from their roof into a large tank. However this rainwater system had no filter and the rusty roof and dusty pipes affected both the taste and the purity.

During the rainy season and for the next few months the facility had water, but during the dry season, the situation was more desperate. With the tank dry, the only option was to walk for water. The nearest well was a long walk from the center, and coupled with the sheer volume of patients being treated each day, it began taking a toll on the staff.

The health center’s cleaner volunteered to take on the task of fetching water, but she soon realized that she was spending more time walking to and from the well than doing her job. As a result, the facility was not as clean or hygienic as it needed to be. She would also end each day exhausted. Other staff members and even patients and visitors tried to help by taking turns walking to the well, but there was never enough water.

The local authorities were sympathetic, but unable to help. Their priority had to be supplying the medicine and while they saw the importance of clean water, they just didn’t have the funds.

How it Looks Today

Drop in the Bucket were in town meeting with the local district water office and were told about the water situation at the health center. We were looking for a health center in the area and after the meeting went straight to Naibiri. As soon as we saw the situation, we knew we were in the right place. This was somewhere that could really use our help.

We commissioned a hydro-geological survey and found a location that was likely to support a well. The drilling itself was fairly straightforward and within a day we drilled down 50 meters to hit water. The test results were great! This water was clean and free of impurities or contaminants.

The Naibiri health center now has clean water and everything has changed! Wilson couldn’t be happier and the staff are beyond grateful for his persistent lobbying.

New Video on Drop in the Bucket’s Education Program in South Sudan

The Benefits of Education

But why is a water charity providing scholarships to girls?

How a Water Well Changed This African Grandmother's Life

Clean Water Changed Everything for This African Grandmother

CLEAN WATER CAN CHANGE THE WORLD

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