Solar-Powered Water System Transforms Kenyan School

Children at Farjano Primary School no longer risk falling into a deep well just to get a drink of water. Thanks to a partnership between the Diocese of Garissa, TSM International, and Davis & Shirtliff Company, the school in northern Kenya now has a solar-powered water system that keeps storage tanks filled with clean water.

The school sits in Wajir, one of Kenya's driest regions where water scarcity affects daily life. Students had a well on campus, but it was so deep they struggled to haul water up with ropes and buckets.

Teachers worried constantly about children falling in while trying to get water. The dangerous daily task meant students spent less time learning and had limited access to clean drinking water for hygiene and health.

The Diocese of Garissa recognized the urgent need and brought together local partners to create a lasting solution. The team installed solar panels to power a pump that moves water from the well into storage tanks, then distributes it safely throughout the school.

The project was completed in July, and the changes came immediately. Students now wash their hands properly, classrooms stay cleaner, and drinking water flows reliably throughout the school day.

The Ripple Effect

The benefits reach far beyond the school gates. Teachers report that better hygiene has created a healthier learning environment, which means fewer sick days and more consistent education for students in this underserved region.

Families living near the school have also gained from improved water access, strengthening community health and resilience in an area where every drop counts. The project shows how strategic partnerships can solve critical problems in places most people never hear about.

Bishop Francis Omondi of Garissa framed the water system as an act of faith in action. "When this ray of light we reflect dispels darkness, as witnesses of God's love, a big part of our work in people's lives is done," he shared at the handover ceremony.

The Diocese has built in maintenance plans and community involvement to keep the system running for years to come, ensuring that today's students and tomorrow's will always have safe water to drink while they learn.