UNICEF Provides Sustainable Water Facilities to Schools in Adamawa’s Kiri Community
In a bid to improve children’s health, safety, and access to education, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) on Wednesday commissioned sustainable water facilities at Pilot Primary School and GDSS Primary School in Kiri community, Shelleng Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
The initiative, carried out in partnership with the Adamawa State Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Agency (RUWASA) and Shelleng local government authorities, received support from the Government of the Netherlands.
The project ensures that pupils now have access to clean and safe water within school premises, promoting hygiene, environmental sanitation, and a conducive learning environment.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Chief of UNICEF’s Bauchi Field Office, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, emphasized that access to water is a fundamental right for every child. She noted that before the intervention, pupils often had to leave school to fetch water from distant rivers or boreholes, exposing them to dangers and causing them to miss classes.
“Children should be safe in school. Going outside the school environment to fetch water is not safe. UNICEF is committed to ensuring their safety, education, and hygiene. With water now available in the school, we expect improved attendance and reduced dropout rates,” Dr. Rafique said.
The Headmaster of Pilot Primary School, Umar Saidu Richard, expressed gratitude to UNICEF and its partners, noting that pupils will no longer abandon classes in search of water.
“This intervention is a major relief not only for the pupils but also for members of the community who will benefit from the facility,” he said.
Shelleng LGA WASH Coordinator, Gideon Emmanuel, highlighted that the project has improved the standard of living for both pupils and residents, adding that water access points were extended to serve the wider community.
Pupils who benefited from the initiative shared their experiences. Edith Meshak recalled, “Before now, we had to leave our classes to fetch water from the river or a nearby borehole. We missed lessons because of that. Today, we have water in our school and we are very happy.” Similarly, Munirat Umar described the project as the end of the “era of searching for water” during school hours.
The WASH Chairperson of Shelleng Council, Athina Baunoshimi, noted the broader community benefits, including increased hygiene awareness, reduction in open defecation, and higher hospital visits for antenatal and child delivery services.
“Open defecation has reduced significantly. Women are more enlightened and health challenges have decreased,” she said, commending UNICEF for the intervention.
Hygiene Promotion Officer Judith Y. Hetteh and Nutrition Officer Hannatu Koliro confirmed that health awareness campaigns have drastically reduced local health challenges, with women now better informed about proper hygiene and the critical first 1,000 days of a child’s life.
Representing the District Head, Alhaji Musa Husain praised UNICEF and its partners for bringing both infrastructure and health education to the community.
RUWASA officials disclosed ongoing efforts to eliminate open defecation across Shelleng LGA before year-end. Out of 383 communities, 293 have been sensitized on the risks, with 152 sanitation points remaining to be addressed.
This initiative, according to reports by The Guardian, marks another significant step toward improving child health, education, and community wellbeing in Adamawa State through sustainable water and sanitation projects.
