St. Gertrude Girls Secondary School WASH Project

Total Project Cost: $48,900

Project Location:  Imiliwaha, Njombe District, Tanzania

Project & Program Background

St. Gertrude Girls Secondary School, founded in 2003 by the Benedictine Sisters of St. Gertrude Monastery, serves nearly 400 girls from rural communities in Njombe District. The school was created to address long‑standing gender disparities in education and continues to provide a safe, supportive environment where girls can learn and thrive. However, the campus lacks access to clean and reliable water. Students walk long distances to collect water from unsafe sources, reducing study time, increasing absenteeism, and exposing them to preventable illnesses. The Sisters emphasize that access to safe water is essential for health, dignity, and academic success.

Community Background

The school is located in Kitulila village, a rural area where households and institutions often struggle to secure dependable water. Daily school operations—including cooking, cleaning, sanitation, and menstrual hygiene management—are significantly affected by the lack of water. The Sisters have demonstrated strong leadership and commitment to improving conditions for their students, but the school cannot meet its water needs without external support.

Water, Sanitation and Health (WASH) Concerns

The absence of a safe water source contributes to waterborne diseases, poor hygiene, and reduced school attendance. Students lose valuable classroom time fetching water, and the school’s sanitation facilities cannot function properly without a reliable supply. A dedicated borehole will directly improve health, safety, and learning conditions for all students and staff.

Proposed Project 

The project will include a hydrogeological survey, drilling a deep borehole of 80–100 meters, installing a reliable solar pump, constructing elevated storage tanks, and distributing water across the campus. Training will be provided to staff and students to ensure proper operation and maintenance. These improvements will allow the school to meet its daily water needs and support a healthier learning environment.

Sustainability Considerations

The Sisters will contribute 15% of the project cost. In addition, they will establish a Water Management Committee to oversee the system and ensure long‑term reliability. The school has committed to allocating funds annually for routine maintenance and repairs, and personnel will receive basic training in system care. This approach aligns with WEFTA’s emphasis on community ownership and long‑term sustainability.

WEFTA Volunteers

WEFTA volunteers will contribute 10% of the project cost through technical guidance, review of designs, and post‑construction follow‑up. Their involvement will help ensure that the borehole and distribution system are built to last and continue to meet the needs of the school community.

If you would like additional information about this project, please contact us.