A Dig Deep Adventure to the Summit of Killimanjaro - by Jason Blanchard

Climbing a mountain of the scale of Kilimanjaro is no easy feat, it can be daunting and maybe even horrifying at first thought however this is nothing compared to the ordeal that many people face across Africa on a day to day basis just for survival. 

Dig Deep have for many years now focused on providing these people with the basic human right of clean water and sanitation and it is this helping hand that will always be there for its fundraisers no matter what challenge they face. It was my pleasure this year to have the opportunity to raise money for such a great charity and great cause.

My time on the climb could not have been more varied from the nerves and anxiety at the bottom to the optimism and yet realisation of magnitude in the middle to the ecstasy and elation at the summit. This role coaster of emotions included laughs, tears but more importantly unforgettable memories that I will take with me for the rest of my life. 

I would just like to take this opportunity to once again express my gratitude to all the Dig Deep staff that were the first smiling face I saw right back in September when fundraising began to the final wave when I left on the climb to the proud welcoming upon my return and sad goodbye for the airport. I really do now feel like one of the Dig Deep family and I thank you all for that.

In addition I would like to mention all of the staff that helped organise our safaris and other amazing trips as well as all the friendly staff at numerous hotels we stayed at. Last but by no means least, I need to say a very massive thank you to the incredibly hard working porters that carry your supplies, your spirits and often you up the mountain all with a kind and patient pole pole manner about them. 

I can't thank everyone enough and look forward to continue helping Dig Deep any way I can even just to repay them a tiny bit of the experience they afforded me this summer.

My First Time In Africa - By Harry Owens

Above the Clouds

I'd never been to Africa before, and when I got off the plane I was exposed to a whole new world. The airport was so small compared to the one I'd just left, but the weather was a lot nicer. My good fortune took a slight turn when the airline informed me that my luggage was in Amsterdam, fortunately it arrived on a flight the next day and I wasn’t going to let anything dampen my good mood. I was in Tanzania, I was about to climb Kilimanjaro, and I couldn’t be more excited.

I didn’t really know what to expect from Moshi or from the hotel, and when my driver pulled down a dirt track in what seemed like the middle of nowhere I must admit I was a little worried. This was completely unjustified however as we pulled into the Midlands Lodge, I couldn’t of felt more at home. I was shown to a beautiful room with a comfy bed and an en suite; standard for all the rooms in Midlands. I was greeted by a group of Dig Deep staff, student fundraisers and very friendly locals. This was followed by some amazing food and most importantly an ice cold Kilimanjaro beer.

After a day of rest the group I would be climbing with arrived in Moshi. Not knowing anyone I was climbing with, I was a little apprehensive, but after a few more Kilimanjaro beers and a few games of cards, I was confident we were going to have a great time on the mountain.

It was foggy on the morning before we went to the gate, we were unable to see the peak, but we knew it was there and it was where we needed to be. The gate was its own adventure; meeting all of the guides and having a monkey steal our food made for an exciting morning. Just like that we were off, walking our first few steps I looked back to see Sarah waving us off. Knowing her and Jo had reached the top just a week prior was a key factor in my determination at some points. The first thing we noted was how frustratingly slowly the guides were walking, we were miles ahead of them, what on earth were they doing? By day 2 they were still going at the same pace, but we were struggling to keep up. If you’re about to climb and you’re reading this: pace yourself.

By the time we reached the first camp at 3000 metres the altitude was hitting me hard. My head was pounding and I couldn’t catch my breath, unfortunately there was nothing I could do but deal with it, which was made easier by the astounding cooking. Huddled in the mess tent the porters had already set up for us, everyone was eating as much soup and bread as possible. We were starving. Much to our surprise, the soup was cleared away and the waiters brought in the main course. We hadn’t realised the soup was a starter. After feasting on some chicken and potatoes, I certainly wasn’t starving anymore.

The sun rose in the morning, as did we at 6:30 am with only minor grumbling. Much to my relief, my headache was gone and I was feeling fresh as a daisy; the sleeping matts in the tents really are quite comfy. We continued on for 3 days of long hikes and great food, amazed by both the views and how fast the porters could walk despite carrying much more than us. Some days we were treated to a morning sing along with all 60 of our porters and guides which was so enticing that often people from other groups would wonder over and join in. As for our favourite part of the trip we all greed it fell on day 4, but we couldn’t decide whether it was the thrill of climbing Baranco wall in the morning or the taste sensation of the chips they gave us for lunch. For me it was definitely the chips.

I can barely remember summit night, I think it’s the same for a lot of people. I remember the red glow of the moon in the early hours of the morning. I remember seeing the stars more clearly than I ever have before. I remember the most beautiful sunrise. The hours of hard work and struggle seem to be left behind in the sense of accomplishment. When we could see Uhuru peak from Stella point I could hardly believe it. Only one more hour.

My group at Uhuru peak.

I cried at the peak, I think most people did from my group. There was a lot of singing the songs we had learnt from the guides over the week and photo taking for new profile pictures. We could of stayed up there for a long time, the views stretched on for miles and of course we had finally made it, although it definitely hadn’t quite sunk in for most people yet. It didn’t really hit me until after lunch walking down to millennium camp when I looked back and could see the peak receding in the background. At that point I was so full of energy, slightly annoyed because I would much rather have been energised on the way up!

By the time we reached Mweka, everyone was quite disappointed really, not able to come to terms with the fact that we were no longer on the mountain and that our adventure was over. Tipping the porters however was one of the highlights of my week, after seeing how hard they worked I couldn’t imagine climbing with a organisation that didn’t give them a fair wage.

After a few rest days in Moshi, I was looking forward to watching a few good movies on the plane. Unfortunately I was so knackered that I slept the whole way home and didn’t get to watch anything. My mother picked me up at the airport congratulating me and saying how proud she was.

“No big deal mum” I grinned. “All in a weeks’ work”.

My Group Leader Experience - by Sam Morley

Sam Morley, Sheffield 2015 Group Leader

Our 2015 Sheffield Group Leader Sam has written a blog for us about his experiences of being a Group Leader for us. If you feel inspired and would like to apply to become a Group Leader for us at your University please have a look at the information pack here.

Whilst on my year out in Japan, I saw the team leader role with Dig Deep on a ‘Freshers’ Facebook page for Sheffield University and immediately applied. The chance to meet a group of students at my new University, fundraise together and then have the experience of a lifetime climbing Kilimanjaro the following summer felt too good to miss out on. I had a bit of fundraising experience already and thought a leadership role would be a good challenge for me whilst studying Architecture. Dig Deep called me up shortly after and had a quick interview on the phone. It was only during the interview I actually realised that team leaders get to travel for free! I was prepared for rejection and thought I’d just sign up to join the team anyway… but then Jo woke me up one morning with a phone call welcoming me aboard.

I had a little success dance and then plastered the news over social media. Immediately, the Internet responded and I had several signups, before even starting University! Once I was in Sheffield, I pushed myself to go to as many socials, sports clubs and events as possible to meet new people; I handed out leaflets and emailed societies. I became known as ‘Kilimanjaro Sam’ and before I knew it, everyone I met had already heard about the trip and the numbers were tumbling in. Even some of my best friends signed up, making the whole experience very easy and enjoyable.

Once we had a team together, we started to meet up for drinks and nights out – it was nice to have a group of people from all different subjects and ages. After a few fundraising events together I began to know most of the group fairly well. A bunch of us got involved in the bungee jump and the Snowdon trip, which was great for meeting fundraisers from other Universities, some of whom we’d be climbing Kili with. As a team leader, fundraising was mostly about inspiring others with ideas and motivation, as well as offering a helping hand wherever possible. It’s a real chance to be creative and great for building up leadership and organisational skills, not to mention a huge splash of colour on your CV.

Some Sheffield Fundraisers at the Christmas market

There’s a great deal of satisfaction in watching your team’s total grow and grow through the tens of thousands of pounds. Eventually, our Sheffield team romped home with over £50K for Dig Deep and we’re now all poised for our African adventure together! After our 6-day trek to the roof of Africa, we’ll have 10 days to relax and soak up the Tanzanian culture. Most of us will be going on a Safari (another must-do in life) and then explore the romantic sandy beaches of Zanzibar with the chance to swim with dolphins, go on boat trips and explore caves. I never thought I’d be planning my third trip to the continent aged 19 but it truly is the land of hidden wonders and the home of all my best (and most bizarre) memories.

At time of writing, I have not yet climbed Kilimanjaro, but I can only tell you from all the people I have spoken to and PowerPoints and videos I have seen that it will stay in your mind forever. That’s the kind of experience University is all about… and if the highest free-standing mountain in the world isn’t already on your bucket list, it should be.

Apply to become a Group Leader at your University by visiting this link.

Trustee Travels - by Jo Zeevi

Having co-founded Dig Deep, eight years ago, I was incredibly excited about heading back to Kenya to see the work that Dig Deep is doing on the ground and to see the impact in the communities and schools we work with. It was four years since my last visit and although I have heard of progress through our monthly trustee meetings there is nothing like seeing and hearing the stories first hand.

Co-founders Jo Zeevi and Peter Fitzsimmons in the early days of Dig Deep

16 million people lack access to clean water in Kenya and over 43% of Kenya’s rural population does not have access to basic sanitation. Dig Deep's work is focused around the Narok county by the Maasai Mara and Bomet in the west of the country.

Day one in the field saw us visiting the Endonyo Narasha community which is the first project that Dig Deep fundraised for back in 2007. Unfortunately, due to the incredibly high fluoride levels in the water, the wind pump installed in the borehole has badly corroded and is difficult to maintain. As Dig Deep continues to monitor the projects we have implemented we receive information on whether something happens with a project beyond the means of the communities. We then work with the community to see what the most appropriate solution is.

Endonyo Narasha opted to have a new technology installed - community rainwater harvesting. This is an incredibly simple system where a large roof collects the rain water and it is stored in enormous concrete tanks which can be easily treated. There is estimated to be enough water for 15litres of water for each person per day. They are also in discussions around donating the wind pump to another community we work with that does not have a problem with fluoride in the water, so nothing will go to waste.

The Community Rainwater Harvester at Edonyo Narash

We were there for the opening ceremony of the community rainwater harvesting where the Water Committee officially took control of the project and talked at length about the provisions being made for maintenance. We also talked through the training that Dig Deep will provide for community members so that they can independently manage the system. We met in the corrugated church, sheltering us from the blazing sun. After many introductions in English, Swahili and Ma (the local Maasai language) everyone filed down to the tap stands where there were queues of women ready to fill their containers. Brightly coloured kangas and jingling beaded jewellery gave the scene a carnival feel as school children sang and the water was released.

There were some marked changes since we were there seven years ago. A new kindergarten, a bigger central market and lots of new faces. The water committee and chief seemed fully engaged and I felt proud of the long term relationships that Dig Deep creates with the communities we partner with. This feeling was echoed time and again as the reputation of the charity resulted in unprompted discussions with everyone we met about the way that we work and the sustainability and success of the projects.

This was the beginning of several meetings we attended in the Mara region, each with the Water Committees and wider community in attendance where everyone welcomed us and our essential partners on the ground, Olare Orok Motorogi Trust. Wherever we went they were praying for rain as the land was dusty, dry and barren. The drought had continued longer than anticipated and the communities are keen to move quickly with new projects, more than willing to provide their contribution upfront.

We travelled with Dig Deep's Country Manager Carol who is working incredibly hard to engage and empower communities. From village elders and women's groups to school children, Carol welcomes everyone's input and encourages debate. I felt a huge sense of pride as an elderly lady announced to the community how much of a role model Carol is and how this demonstrates the need for children to receive an education (which isn't possible without the basic access to water) so that they can create change within their own communities. This highlights perfectly the work that Dig Deep does to break the cycle of poverty.

Our time in the Mara left me chomping at the bit to continue our journey to Bomet county and see how we are working  in a completely different environment; within towns, a place that is green and lush but still suffers from water scarcity.

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We left the Mara on a high as the long awaited rains came and having felt the momentum of the work there building.  As we journeyed to Ndanai in Bomet County I was full of anticipation as I had never been to this area before, with Dig Deep having started to operate in the region only three years ago. We were greeted by Justice, our local Dig Deep Officer in Ndanai, who has been steadily engaged with the communities and schools throughout the projects. This helps us to monitor the projects and impacts accurately.

Students prepare to recite their poem at Township School

Dig Deep has completed 12 school projects in Ndanai and has another 12 schools in the pipeline. We were able to visit 6 of the schools and wow - I was blown away! Dig Deep has constructed high quality self-contained VIP (Ventilated Improved Pit) Latrines which include rainwater harvesting to allow for hand washing at key times.   This is alongside additional rainwater harvesting in the schools, or connection to the main borehole in the town centre that dig Deep completed 3 years ago. The impact on the schools is astounding.

We saw the hand washing facilities being actively used in each of the schools that we visited and the head teachers were proud to speak of the impact on attendance, the reduction of diseases and the increase in enrolment due to improved facilities for the children. The schools are proud of the infrastructure and are no longer embarrassed to tell students they have to use a collapsing pit latrine with no water to wash their hands. Kagasik Girls School is a great example of improvement. As a result of our water and toilet projects they have since been able to attract investment from regional governments resulting in boarding enrolment having increased from 50 girls to over 200.

The Township School Headmaster was beaming as he talked through the impact on test results due to the decline of illness (they had the highest performing student in the county). Even though our visit was unannounced they were quick to want to demonstrate how the hygiene training had affected the pupils. Amidst shining smiles and shrieks of enthusiasm we saw demonstrations of how to wash your hands properly and played games of get the ‘poo in the loo’ (equivalent to kicking the ball through the goal).

For me the most powerful moment was when Standard 5 started to recite the poem they had written themselves about Dig Deep, sanitation and giving thanks. It was conveyed with such pleasure and sincerity it caught me off guard and I was struck by the huge impact and meaning of Dig Deep’s work and reputation. It is funny how the things you aren’t prepared for can sometimes have the biggest affect. Of course I blinked rapidly to ensure there wasn’t a tear in my eye and clapped and laughed along with encouragement.

Throughout our trip as we drove through the Mara and Bomet regions we passed boreholes and water points powered by solar, water kiosks selling water, rainwater harvesting in schools and areas where water has been piped around the village. I saw children with plastic mugs drinking straight from the taps and children thoroughly washing their hands after using the latrines, I saw women collecting the water and people looking healthy and strong. This is all the work of Dig Deep and its partners. When I remember back to when it all began I give huge thanks to those who have supported the charity over the years. The impact is real and tangible. I can’t wait to see even bigger changes on my next visit, and I have no doubt that it will be transformational.

Menstruation Matters - by Caroline Kiugo

Today is World Menstrual Hygiene Day. A day we should all feel free and happy to celebrate despite the culture of silence around menstruation and despite that the story has not changed much for many girls around the world with so many school days lost. The absences are caused by girls not attending school during menstruation, many girls forced to miss school each month because of inadequate toilet or washing facilities and insufficient access to sanitary towels.

Today’s Campaign, #MenstruationMatters is to raise awareness of the stigma and practical difficulties many girls face.

To start at the beginning, many girls around the world are not taught what menstruation is until 'menarche', or their first period. Many girls think they are dying when this happens. Many girls have explained that there is a ‘culture of silence’ around menstruation, including in their families. Male family members have no knowledge of menstruation and girls do not feel comfortable even talking to their mothers about the subject. In turn, this ‘culture of silence’ creates a culture of shame and embarrassment around menstruation in families and communities. The stigma around menstruation and menstrual hygiene (is) a violation of several human rights, most importantly of the right to human dignity.

A Dig Deep sponsored Menstrual Health Training session conducted
 by our expert partner WASH Utd

The list of synonyms that refer to menstruation is never ending. We don’t want to talk about it, we don’t even utter the word! In areas where Dig Deep work, menstruation has been associated with something dirty, disgraceful, embarrassing….but how can something so normal and natural a function be associated with shame, stigma, and taboo? The stigma is due, in part, to a lack of knowledge – so here is an attempt to shed light on how Menstruation Matters.

The only way to break the taboo is not only by hiding it but making it so available and out in the open, speaking it out. For too many girls the inner turmoil that happens during menstruation is unbearable. They feel scared, impure, dirty and embarrassed. In schools we partner with, taboos, myths surrounding menstruation are more recognised than menstruation itself. It’s very sad when I listen to the girls in those schools putting across these taboos that they uphold; “I can’t go to church when I’m having my periods because it’s a sin, I can’t visit a vegetable garden because the vegetables will dry up, I can’t play sports during my periods because I’ll lose a lot of blood and become anaemic, I can’t talk it to my father about it because in my culture it’s not allowed, I can’t serve my father food or my brother because I can get a curse.”

In one of the schools there is this girl who wrote a shopping list and gave it to his father, he read it through and came across an item called ‘sanitary towels’. And the father asked her, why do you need an extra towel, you only need one and you’re lucky you have one in our time we never used towels to dry ourselves.

This girl was so embarrassed and ashamed and the only thing she could do is to wait to get back to school and asked one of the teachers to explain to the father what sanitary towels are for.

“In these rural areas it’s tough for these girls being a woman of modest", one teacher said. "We need to change that, no girl should be stuck home, they should be continuing with their studies, most importantly they should be able to talk about menstruation without feeling embarrassed, It’s not a girl issue, it’s a human natural issue but we have just isolated it.”

The biggest problem is managing it. When I was a kid in school, tying the sweater around our waists was a pretty cool thing to do…and walk with a bounce. Then we woke up one fine day, it had become an act of SHAME. Many girls when asked how they feel about menstruation, this how they respond; “I hate it, it’s a misery. Boys in class laugh so much when the teacher explains the process of menstruation during biology lessons. I wish we could all be more relaxed and feel comfortable talking about it.”

Girls drop out of school because they have no access to supplies, not every girl can afford the mainstream sanitary towels or the "fasten your belt", "spread your wings pads" as many boys call it, but also because they attend what many of us call “girl-unfriendly schools,” or schools that

• Don’t have separate toilets for girls. Without decent toilets or washing facilities, girls' health is put at risk and they are likely to drop out of school rather than face the humiliation
• Lack access to clean water. Lack of water made the cleaning process even more cumbersome and
• Don’t have separate environments for girls to wash and dry reusable cloths (especially an issue with boarding schools). The use of clothes are often too embarrassed to dry them in the sun, which means they don’t get disinfected as a result they suffer from reproductive disease caused by poor menstrual hygiene.

Dig Deep would like to thank Days for Girls for the 60 free kits of re-usable sanitary towels and 52 panties  they donated in the Mara. All our work on the Mara is facilitated by the Olare Orok Motorogi Trust to whom we thank also. The kits will be distributed to girls in schools during Menstrual Hygiene Management training in schools that starts on 8^th June -13^th June.

Training male teachers is a vital part of breaking the taboo

Dig Deep not only has provided access to improved sanitary facilities and access to clean water in many schools in Bomet and Narok, also through the concept of Menstrual Hygiene Management training in schools is breaking the silence around menstruation issue by educating girls, boys and teachers about menstruation and shattering myths around it. Male teachers are part of this training, at first they are embarrassed and on the other hand girls feel shy but when the male teachers are baptised with a female name before the training it begins becomes an open interaction; they feel free, happy and confident.

Like Muruganatham says “the sanitary towel has to be brought out of the closet” so is menstruation. It’s time to break the silence and get this done! Let’s engage in the dialogue, let’s talk Menstruation.

Partner for Responsible Travel status achieved - by James Haughton

Great news! It's just been announced by the Kilimanjaro Porter's Assistance Project that Dig Deep will soon be confirmed as the first UK charity or charitable supplier to have been given Partner for Responsible Travel status. This marks the culmination of 2 years of research into the social impact of our Kilimanjaro fundraising climbs and recognises the policies and procedures that have been implemented to ensure fair treatment for our Tanzanian mountain crews.

Our suppliers African Scenic Safaris and Trek to Kili have been at the forefront of the movement for ethical tourism in Tanzania and we want to thank them for their determination to work towards these shared aspirations.

Dig Deep runs sponsored climbs for fundraisers from the UK to raise funds for our water and sanitation projects in Kenya (www.digdeep.org.uk). Porters traditionally are casual workers from rural areas desperate for employment. Their desperation often leads them to accept poor conditions from the guides that employ them. Their work involves carrying upto 25kg in weight up the mountain and frequently they are asked to carry in excess of this weight limit by unscrupulous operators. You can find out more about the issues facing Kilimanjaro porters by watching several documentaries that are available on YouTube.

Of Dig Deep's drive to Partner status, Director Ben Skelton said: "Dig Deep has worked closely with local NGO's around Kilimanjaro to ensure that our sponsored climbs are crewed by staff that are paid, fed and equipped to the highest standards. This reflects our commitment to put people first at all times in all areas of activity. We hope that in being recognised by KPAP today we will be able to act as advocates to other organisations in the UK to ensure their supply reaches the highest ethical standards."

You can find more information about the trips that Dig Deep offers by visiting www.climbforcleanwater.org

My Dig Deep Water Challenge Experience by Jo Black

Last week, Jessica and I decided to take on the #digdeepwaterchallenge and only use 5 litres of water a day for 5 days (so 25L in total). Now to your average Brit, this might sound like a lot of water and it certainly looks like a sizeable amount, but when you consider that this is all the water we can use for everything it doesn’t seem like that much anymore.

Jo & Jess with their daily allowance of water.

This means that I didn’t shower for a week (70L on average), didn’t flush the toilet for a week (13.6L, sorry flatmate!) nor did I stick any dirty clothes in the washing machine (60L) or use the dishwasher (13L) or in fact, wash my dishes at all. It’s a good job I have a lot of saucepans because by the end of the week I was eating out of them.  

I knew that this challenge was going to be difficult, especially because I have the worst memory in the world so had to write notes everywhere reminding myself not to turn the tap on or flush the toilet. The one thing I didn’t expect was the fatigue. Through ensuring that I had enough water to clean my hands with and have a flannel wash with, it meant that the water I was drinking was significantly reduced. I think I was consuming around 1L of liquids (we counted other liquids we may be consuming too like coffee and had to measure out how much we put in the kettle). On average, I try to consume 2.5L of water a day. I could feel the effects that consuming less water was having on my body – I was more lethargic, my skin deteriorated (in only 5 days!) and (weirdly) I wanted to eat loads more (not sure about the science in that!).

A 5 Litre bottle of water showing Jo's daily water limit.

In fact, I even tried to go to the gym on the Monday (bad idea) and had to leave after 20 minutes – I had hardly any energy and I was very aware that over-exertion could lead to a very smelly Jo for the next couple of days. On Wednesday, Jessica came over for dinner which was incredibly exciting because it meant we could boil some pasta (it’s amazing how much you miss something until you’re not allowed it anymore) using our shared water.

So, what, you may ask, were we doing it for? There are a few reasons. Firstly, to raise awareness of World Water Day (22^nd March) because 750 million people still don’t have access to clean, safe water and that is a travesty. Secondly, to show our student fundraisers that we’re all in this together and to thank them for the incredibly hard work they do for us all year. Thirdly, to accurately show how much I take water for granted. Working for a water charity means I think about the sacredness of water more than most, but I still didn’t realise how much I consumed day to day, and for me the results are shocking.

So, I’ve certainly picked up some good habits from doing the challenge, and I hope I’ve raised awareness amongst my peers too. Will I be doing it next year? Certainly! Feel free to join us and look out for the #digdeepwaterchallenge in 2016. 

Water Changes Everything-by Caroline Kiugo

Today, it’s a day marked to celebrate water and Dig Deep would like to celebrate this day by reflecting on the achievements of the schools we have partnered with in Ndanai, Bomet County.

To those who have access to clean and safe water that think about no more than walking across the room and turning on a tap, that was not the case for thousands of students in Ndanai. They walked six- eight kilometres each day to collect water from unreliable sources– time which could be spent in school.

In the 12 schools we installed Rain Water Harvesting systems in Ndanai, teachers and students recognize that water is a problem for more than 1 billion people and they were part of the affected. Today they recognise water as their hub and recognise the transformational changes they have seen as a result of clean water.

Water is a hub to many students because it has been an entry point to all areas they need to consider to create the future they want. Regular attendance to school, improved education, improved health, clean sanitation and improved hygiene practices.

Every day is a world water day for them.

Caoline inspects a tippy-tap in Ndanai. A simple and hygienic way of dispensing water for cleaning.

One of the Head teachers at Rotik Secondary highlighted that ‘Unclean water and a lack of basic sanitation are undermining efforts to end extreme poverty and disease in our community, water is fundamental to improving the livelihoods and well-being of the poor’. He shared students at his schools have maintained personal cleanliness since they got access to clean water and one-thirds of the students reported with diarrhoea episodes in the school due to unsafe drinking water every week is now to zero.

In a different school the head teacher relayed that the disparity of water and sanitation hygiene-related knowledge, attitude and practices among student’s compared to the past has changed due to access of clean water in their school and the impact of Hygiene education. ‘Positive behaviours and hygiene practices are observed, applied at all times by the students. These positive behaviours are not left at the school gate, they are practised in the community by the students, which has also driven the community to accept such changes’ he added.

A Dig Deep latrine block with a rainwater harvesting system

Millions of children across the world today, access to safe water is still a struggle. Providing better water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services in schools reduces hygiene-related diseases and can help claim the 272 million schools days missed every year due to diarrhoea.

In Bomet, where schools and communities have access to clean and safe drinking water represents a small percentage. Thousands of other schools in that area the story is different, the tap stands are not across the other room or next to a kitchen. What would it take to ensure that the thousands of students still losing 272 million school days and six hours have access to clean water? Join Dig Deep fundraising team and let’s start the journey together, to reach that goal. One student at a time.