Safe water for primary schools in Sierra Leone

Over 430,000 primary school-aged children in Sierra Leone are out of school. Although many schools were rebuilt after the war, there is still a chronic lack of water and sanitation inside the schools. Without running water or toilets, children are forced to leave classes in search of drinking water, and are often forced to drink from contaminated streams.

Agnes is seven years old and lives in Magboema village, Bombali province. Like most of the children in her village, she has never had access to safe water. She often gets up at 6am to fetch water for her family. Agnes does attend school but finds it hard to concentrate – classes are often interrupted as children leave in search of water.

“Our teachers always tell us to be patient – the time will come when we have our own toilets and running water.”

What your support means to girls like Agnes:

• £30 could provide enough safe water in schools for 5 children
• £262 could provide enough sanitation facilities for 250 people
• £3,739 could fully construct a well for one school, which could provide enough safe water for 600 children
• Donate to this project*

*Donating to priority project
photo : ©Jenny Matthews/ActionAid