The WATERBANK School

The development of PITCHAfrica’s WATERBANK SCHOOL in Laikipia, Kenya began in January 2012. Construction started in June 2012 and was completed in December. Our local partners, the Zeitz Foundation, who work in the region supporting local schools and establishing environmental programs received funding from the Guernsey Overseas Aid Committee for an additional four classrooms at The Uasonyiro Primary School. We suggested a different approach. As advocates for rainwater harvesting, water-filtration and cross-cutting development, we were keen to demonstrate that it might be possible to work within a typical rural school budget and achieve much more. Our design includes four classrooms with protected gardens for food cultivation, teachers rooms, community spaces, a community courtyard theater, a 350,000 liter / year harvesting capacity, a 150,000 liter reservoir under the courtyard and integral water-filtration using Ceramic Water Filters. The Uasonyiro WATERBANK School building has a harvesting area of 600 sq meters and can collect enough water in this semi-arid region for 300 children to have 4 liters of water a day, all year round. Constructing the WATERBANK School for the same low budget as a typical 4 classroom rural school is achieved by a process of extreme simplification, the use of local construction techniques, community engagement through the School, and an extraordinary commitment from the development team. The WATERBANK School is featured in a recent BBC WorldService: Business Daily broadcast on “Investment in Kenya” It is also the subject of a recent interview in East African Flyer by Wycliffe Muga. THE TEAM Concept, Design Development and Implementation: PITCHAfrica / ATOPIA Research
Engineering and Construction Management: Kennedy Gitonga (Kims Kenya)
Community Liason and Project Management: The Zeitz Foundation for Intercultural Ecosphere Safety
Funding: Guernsey Overseas Aid
Patrons of Uaso Nyiro School: Vivienne Westwood and Andreas Kronthaler Site: The Uasonyiro Primary School, Laikipia, Kenya