Project
St. George RC Primary School
Saint George RC Primary School began humbly in 1974, established by the Catholic Mission to serve children who previously had no access to nearby education. At the time, pupils from surrounding communities were forced to walk long distances to attend school. The school opened with just 50 pupils—35 boys and 15 girls—and two dedicated staff members, operating out of a dilapidated structure with no sanitation facilities. Pupils relied on nearby community latrines, yet families still embraced the opportunity for their children to learn closer to home.
Over time, the school grew steadily as more families enrolled their children, recognizing the value of accessible education. What began as a small and struggling institution has become one of the most respected primary schools in Lokomasama Chiefdom, known for producing strong academic results. Pupils from Saint George consistently perform well on the National Primary School Examination (NPSE), drawing even more parents to the school.
Today, Saint George serves 355 pupils—176 boys and 179 girls—from seven surrounding communities. The school now has two main buildings and two latrine blocks with six drop holes, supported by four staff members. Despite this progress, the school continues to face growing pressure as enrollment increases, highlighting the ongoing need for improved facilities to support its expanding student population.
Eleven-year-old Emma knows exactly what she wants to be when she grows up. "I want to become a nurse," she says, "so I will treat and give health talks to the community people."
It's a clear, determined vision — the kind that deserves every chance to become reality. She is one of 355 students at Saint George Roman Catholic Primary School in Bakolo village, Sierra Leone, where four teachers work hard to serve a growing population, and where something as basic as a water crisis stands in everyone's way.
It is directly blocking Emma's path.
Every day, Emma picks up a rubber bucket and makes the long trek to a nearby swamp. The school's well broke down years ago, and the swamp is all that's left. The walk alone devours an hour of her day — an hour she could spend in class, taking notes, studying, preparing for the future she's mapped out so carefully.
"I miss lessons, and my uniform gets soaked," Emma says. "I will not be able to return to school quickly due to the distance."
When she does return, she's behind. "My performance at school will not be good," she worries, "and this will lead me not to be promoted to the next class."
The swamp itself is no safe refuge. The water is visibly contaminated — murky, smelling of fallen leaves, surrounded by tall grass where snakes hide in the brush. Emma and her classmates wade in and dip their buckets, a process that only adds to the contamination they're trying to drink around. On days when the journey feels impossible, she goes without water entirely, trying to hold on until lunchtime before making another trip.
"Any time I am sent to fetch water, I feel bad," she says quietly.
Emma dreams of nursing school, dreams of serving her community. She should be focused on the exam that will determine whether she advances to the next grade—not on whether she has time to reach the swamp and back before her teacher moves on.
A rehabilitated well at Saint George changes Emma's equation entirely. It means water on the school grounds, which gives her a full day in the classroom. It means a girl with a plan gets the chance to see it through.
Well
Abundant water often lies just beneath our feet. Aquifers—natural underground rivers—flow through layers of sediment and rock, offering a constant supply of safe water. A borehole well is drilled deep into the earth to access this naturally filtered and protected water. We penetrate meters, sometimes even hundreds of meters, of soil, silt, rock, and more to reach the water underground. Once found, we construct a platform for the well and attach a hand pump. The community gains a safe, enclosed water source capable of providing approximately five gallons of water per minute.
Abundant water often lies just beneath our feet. Aquifers—natural underground rivers—flow through layers of sediment and rock, offering a constant supply of safe water. A borehole well is drilled deep into the earth to access this naturally filtered and protected water. We penetrate meters, sometimes even hundreds of meters, of soil, silt, rock, and more to reach the water underground. Once found, we construct a platform for the well and attach a hand pump. The community gains a safe, enclosed water source capable of providing approximately five gallons of water per minute.
School Education & Ownership
Hygiene and sanitation training are integral to our water projects. Training is tailored to each school's specific needs and includes key topics such as proper water handling, improved hygiene practices, disease transmission prevention, and care of the new water point.
Hygiene and sanitation training are integral to our water projects. Training is tailored to each school's specific needs and includes key topics such as proper water handling, improved hygiene practices, disease transmission prevention, and care of the new water point.
To ensure a lasting impact, we support forming a student health club composed of elected student representatives and a teacher. These clubs promote hygiene practices schoolwide and keep handwashing stations well-stocked. This student-led model encourages a sense of ownership and responsibility.
Safe water and improved hygiene habits foster a healthier future for everyone in the school and the surrounding community.
Commitment to Sustainability
Our commitment doesn’t end when construction is complete. Every project is designed with long-term sustainability in mind, including local training, ongoing monitoring, preventive maintenance, and timely repairs when issues arise. Through regular follow-up and community partnerships, we work to ensure this water point continues to serve the school reliably for years to come—protecting your investment and, more importantly, sustaining clean water access for the people who depend on it.
Commitment to Sustainability
Our commitment doesn’t end when construction is complete. Every project is designed with long-term sustainability in mind, including local training, ongoing monitoring, preventive maintenance, and timely repairs when issues arise. Through regular follow-up and community partnerships, we work to ensure this water point continues to serve the school reliably for years to come—protecting your investment and, more importantly, sustaining clean water access for the people who depend on it.
8.70869 latitude, -13.05869 longitude
H2O for Life partners with experienced NGO organizations around the world that build and support clean water, sanitation, and hygiene education projects in schools. These NGO partners cover half the total cost of every project funded through H2O for Life.
When students raise money for a project, 90% of the funds go directly to the project, and 10% supports the work that makes the project possible. This includes choosing trusted partners, managing funds responsibly, checking on projects, and reporting back so students can see the impact of their work.
This helps ensure every project is done well, stays sustainable, and truly changes lives.
In rare situations, we reserve the right to reallocate funds to alternate project(s).
Questions? Ask us at 651-756-7577 or info@h2oforlifeschools.org.
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