HOW MZIZIMA LIONS CLUB’S SCHOOL WATER PROGRAM HAS HONOURED JPM’S INITIATIVES

Mnazi Mmoja primary pupils seen drinking water from a water dispenser constructed by Lions Club of Dar es Salaam - Mzizima through their school water program. On the right is technician Mr. Bakari and the water program coordinator, Mr Akash Chudasama. ALL PHOTO/DOTTO MWAIBALE.

 ·        The Club adheres to SDG 6 by saving out 40,000 Dar students

·        Constructed boreholes in 21 primary and secondary schools in the region

·        Schools have turned premises into beautiful gardens to fight climate change

·        No longer students go to school with water gallons

By Daniel Mbega Dar es Salaam

AS I entered the scene of the Minazi Mirefu Primary School at Ukonga-Banana, I was greeted by a ringing bell. Suddenly I am startled by the noise of students coming out of classrooms and rushing to the water dispenser located in front of one of the school buildings for drinking water.

Then I found out that it was 10:00 am, the break after the first class sessions ended.

Some of the students are seen fetching water and watering flowers and trees planted in good order at the school and making the environment enjoyable while the breeze is blowing.Many placards with different messages are placed in different places emphasizing the importance of preserving the environment, with the names given to the various national parks.

10 years ago this school was not in the environment as it seems now, as there was no guarantee of access to water, thanks to the Lions Club in Dar es Salaam-Mzizima school water program. 

"We are truly grateful to these donors Lions Club Dar es Salaam - Mzizima who have provided us with a guaranteed well that serves two schools - Minazi Mirefu and our neighbours Air Wing Primary School," says Assistant Head Teacher, Mchumila Hamisi Mchumila.

Mchumila says, with a total of 3,028 pupils present at the school (among them 1,539 boys and 1,489 girls) the hygiene situation at the school was worse due to lack of reliable water.

Many students, he says, had been instructed to go with water gallons to school, but the procedure is now non-existent.

 Water tanks at Majani ya Chai Primary School.

Water tanks serving four school - Umoja, Mwale, Yombo and Bwawani at Yombo-Kiwalani in Dar es Salaam.

Since 2013 when the Lions Club Dar es Salaam - Mzizima provided such a reliable service, even the school environment has changed.

Once you enter the school grounds you are welcomed by the fragrant breeze from the many trees and flowers planted. 

"We are really grateful to these donors although the only challenge we have is the lack of water dispensers due to the large number of students," she says.

The project was officially launched by retired Prime Minister Edward Lowassa in 2013 when it was possible to supply water to from the nearby Air Wing Primary School where a borehole is drilled with a 5,000-liter tank placed as well as distributed pipeline and water dispenser infrastructure.

Mr Fatihuba Karata, Assistant Head Teacher of Air Wing Primary School, says despite having a well drilled by former Ukonga MP, Dr Milton Makongoro Mahanga, but the well was defunct.

The Army's efforts by the Air Force Base (who are the guardian of the school located within the military area) to dig the trench and place water pipe also helped to a degree, though the water did not always flow continuously. 

"The challenge to access to water was officially stopped in 2004 after the advent of the project brought by the Lions Club in Dar es Salaam - Mzizima, now no student is coming home with a jar of water," she says.

She says that sanitation has continued to improve with the planting of trees and flowers for the school.

Fortunately, this school with 2007 pupils and 46 teachers has two water dispensers - one for the younger children including elementary education and the other for older ones. 

"Right now even all the toilets have enough water," adds Ms. Karata.

But the Lions Club school water project has brought another revolution at Karakata Primary School with 1,258 students and 32 teachers.

A neat environment is also present at Msimbazi Mseto Primary School, where Mr Allen Mwakalinga says the Lions Club project has also reduced the cost of paying for DAWASA water which often goes out.

The school has 1,207 children, including children with a stunted brain, and 35 teachers.