NO MORE WATER CRISIS AT KAFUE SECONDARY SCHOOL
Zambia Red Cross Society (ZRCS) has brought an end to the water crisis at Kafue Secondary School by drilling a new borehole and installing a mechanized water system, significantly improving access to clean water for the school’s 1,300 learners and staff.
Kafue Secondary School, one of the largest schools in Kafue District, Lusaka Province, had struggled with water shortages for years. The school relied on a single borehole with a 10,000-liter storage tank, which couldn’t meet the needs of the entire school, especially during power outages, leading to poor sanitation.
ZRCS has installed an additional 10,000-liter water tank, doubling the school’s storage capacity. This will ensure enough water for learners and staff throughout the day.
“With a population of over 1,300 learners, the previous 10,000-liter capacity was insufficient. We are excited and grateful for this intervention by Zambia Red Cross. The additional storage will greatly improve our water situation.”
Kafue Day Secondary School Head Teacher Richard Mweemba
The lack of water had particularly affected sanitation for the school’s female pupils. The lack of adequate water not only made hygiene difficult but also contributed to absenteeism during critical times such as menstruation. With the new system in place, the school can now better manage sanitation, improving both the learning environment and students’ health.
Chawanzi Ruth Katayi, a Grade 12 pupil, expressed gratitude to ZRCS for addressing the school’s water problems, especially for enabling better hygiene practices.
This project is part of ZRCS’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) program, which focuses on improving public health by providing clean water and proper sanitation in schools and communities to prevent waterborne diseases like cholera, which often linked to poor sanitation.
ZRCS’s commitment to public health is evident in its recent cholera response efforts, including the Kafue Secondary School project supported by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and other partners.
The success at Kafue Secondary School shows the positive impact ZRCS is having in communities across Zambia by helping build long-term community resilience. The borehole and mechanized water system are sustainable solutions that will benefit both the school and the surrounding community for years to come.



