School: Kanungu Primary School
Dedication: Brian and Joelle Kelly Family Foundation
Completion Date: May 6, 2024
Location:
School: Kanungu Primary School
District: Mangochi
Country: Malawi
Struggles and Challenges
At Kanungu Primary School, the odds were stacked against girls trying to stay in class—especially during puberty. While the school served hundreds of students, basic sanitation infrastructure was severely lacking. In 2024, there were only four toilets for over 350 girls, equating to a 1:88 ratio. The structures had no doors, no washing facilities, and offered no privacy or dignity. These conditions created an environment that made it extremely difficult for girls to manage their periods and remain in school consistently.
The school was also missing a designated hygiene or changing room. The available toilets could not double as washing facilities due to their high usage demand. Two female teachers did their best to support the girls during menstruation—offering their homes as makeshift changing spaces and providing hygiene materials.
“The teachers help us when we’re on our period,” shared Ethel Sharif and Esnart Nyanga, students at the school. “They let us change at their houses. But we still miss class.”
The situation was compounded by the previous lack of clean water. Prior to 2021 when they received a WWFA water well, students had to bring water from home in containers—many of which were unclean and unsafe—leading to frequent outbreaks of waterborne diseases. Head Teacher Joel Lazaro reflected, “We were really struggling. Some students dropped out. Girls stayed home. Attendance was low.”
A school choir put it plainly in a song:
“We had no water and no changing room. Now we are able to come to school on a regular basis… Girls can stay in school with changing rooms.”
The link between health, hygiene, and learning was undeniable. Something had to change—and it did.
After the Blossom Project
In 2024, Water Wells for Africa (WWFA), with the support of the Brian and Joelle Kelly Family Foundation, completed the Blossom Project at Kanungu School—building on the clean water well installed in 2021. With new hygiene and changing facilities in place, the school finally became a place where girls could thrive without interruption or shame.
Transformation and Impact
- Enrollment Growth: Increased from 634 students in 2020 to 798 in 2025—a 25.8% rise.
- Dramatic Decrease in Dropouts: From 130 total dropouts in 2020 to just 45 in 2023.
- With just the gift of a water well, Kanungu has been able to encourage students to come to school and stay in school, and with the completion of the Blossom Project, WWFA continues to see a drop in the amount of students dropping out.
- Improved Academic Outcomes: Kanungu has risen in school ranking and student passing rate since the well installation in 2021. WWFA continues to see improvements in academic outcomes from the new toilets and changing rooms.
- 2023–24: Ranked #4 out of 15 local schools (up from #6)
- 94% pass rate in 2023–24 (up 10% from the previous year)
- More Girls in School, More Often: Menstrual hygiene support means fewer absences
Health & Safety Gains: With clean water and private facilities, students are healthier and more confident
Enrollment by Year:
2020: 634 (277 boys, 357 girls)
2021: 678 (WWFA water well installed)
2022: 725
2023: 749
2024: 652 (WWFA Blossom facility constructed)
2025: 798 (385 boys, 413 girls)
Community Voices
From teachers to chiefs, the entire community has noticed the change:
“These improvements are unexpected. First the water well and then you brought the changing room. At puberty our girls could not come to school. WWFA has addressed the problem. You have given a future to the girl child.”
– Group Village Head Bapi
“We witness the changing room… are not these friends? WWFA has helped reduce absenteeism and dropout rates among girls and improved sanitation.”
– Head Teacher, Joel Lazaro
Be Part of the Next Blossom Project
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